A current source density analysis of field potentials evoked in slices of visual cortex

The method of one-dimensional current source density (CSD) analysis was applied to field potentials recorded from 350 microns thick slices of the primary visual cortex of rats and cats. Field potentials were elicited by stimulation of the white matter and recorded along trajectories perpendicular to the cortical layers at spatial intervals of 25 to 50 microns. The resulting CSD distributions resembled closely those recorded from the cat visual cortex "in vivo". The responses with the shortest latency were distinct sinks in layers IV and VI probably reflecting monosynaptic EPSP's from specific thalamic afferents. From layer IV activity was relayed along three major routes: 1. to the supragra…