Cortical neurons in the adult receive and integrate synaptic connections from different thalamic nuclei, which relay distinct types of information. The synaptic inputs from so-called first-order thalamic nuclei are considered the primary relay from the sensory periphery to cortex. In contrast, the synaptic inputs from higher-order thalamic nuclei relay information from multiple cortical and subcortical origins. Consequently, these higher-order inputs can encode more complex contextual information and represent a form of feedback that regulates first-order inputs. Despite their importance, there has been no account as to how cortical neurons receive their higher-order thalamic information.
This new study reveals that a cortical neuron’s higher-order synaptic input is determined by the type of embryonic progenitor from which the neuron is born during development. Neurons born from so-called “intermediate progenitors” go on to receive stronger higher-order thalamic input and exhibit higher-order sensory responses in the adult.
Read the full story on the Department of Pharmacology website.