Department of Neuroscience

Research Abstract

Many disorders of the visual system impair spatiotemporal processing. It is thought that this is due to abnormalities in the cortical network. In primate cortex, visual information is encoded in multiple functionally specialized areas which are connected to hierarchical processing streams, specialized for object recognition and spatial relationships. The structure and physiology of the synaptic circuits that underlie these functions are incompletely understood. Recent advances in labeling, recording and manipulating the activity of distinct types of neurons suggest that the mouse visual system in a suitable model for unraveling the underlying network... read more

Selected Publications

• Ji, W., Gamanut, R., Bista, P., D`Souza, R.D., Wang, Q., & Burkhalter, A. (2015) Modularity within mouse visual cortex. Neuron. (in press).
• Yang, W., Carrasquillo, Y., Hooks, B.M., Nerbonne, J.M., & Burkhalter, A. (2013) Distinct balance of excitation and inhibition in an interareal feedforward and feedback circuit of mouse visual cortex. J. Neurosci. 33:17373-17384. PMID 24174670.
• Wang, Q. & Burkhalter, A.(2013) Stream-related preferences of inputs to he superior colliculus from areas for dorsal and ventral streams of mouse visual cortex. J. Neurosci. 33:1696-1705. PMID: 23345242.
• Wang, Q., Sporns, O., & Burkhalter, A. (2012) Network analysis of corticocortical connections reveals ventral and dorsal processing streams in mouse visual cortex. J. Neurosci. 32:4386-4399. PMID: 22457489.
• Carrasquilo, Y., Burkhalter, A., & Nerbonne, J.M. (2012) A-type K+ channels encoded by Kv4.2,Kv 4.3 and Kv4.1 differentially regulate intrinsic excitability of cortical pyramidal neurons. J. Physiol. 590:3877-3890. PMID: 22615428.
• Wang, Q., Gao, E., & Burkhalter, A. (2011)Gateways of ventral and dorsal streams in mouse visual cortex. J. Neurosci. 31:1905-1918. PMID:21289200.
• Gao, E., DeAngelis, G.C., & Burkhalter, A. (2010) Parallel input channels to mouse primary visual cortex. J. Neurosci. 30:5912-5967. PMID: 20427651.
• Burkhalter, A. (2008) Many specialists for suppressing cortical excitation. Front. Neurosci. 2:155-167. PMID: 19225588.
• Gonchar, Y., Wang, Q., & Burkhalter, A. (2007) Multiple distinct subtypes of GABAergic neurons in mouse visual cortex identified by triple immunostaining. Front. Neuroanat. 1: 1-11. PMID: 18958197.
• Wang, Q., & Burkhalter, A.(2007) Area map of mouse visual cortex. J. Comp. Neurol. 502:339-357. PMID: 17366604.