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How neurons encode information has been a hotly debated issue. Ultimately, any code must be relevant to the senders, receivers, and connections between them. This review focuses on the transmission of sensory information through the circuit linking thalamus and cortex, two distant brain regions. Strong feedforward inhibition in the thalamocortical circuit renders cortex highly sensitive to the thalamic synchrony evoked by a sensory stimulus. Neuromodulators and feedback connections may modulate the temporal sensitivity of such circuits and gate the propagation of synchrony into other layers and cortical areas. The prevalence of strong feedforward inhibitory circuits throughout the central nervous system suggests that synchrony codes and timing-sensitive circuits may be widespread, occurring well beyond sensory thalamus and cortex.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.conb.2011.06.003

Type

Journal article

Journal

Curr Opin Neurobiol

Publication Date

10/2011

Volume

21

Pages

701 - 708

Keywords

Animals, Cerebral Cortex, Feedback, Physiological, Humans, Models, Neurological, Neural Pathways, Neurons, Sensation, Thalamus