Several neuronal and axonal types form long intrinsic connections in the cat primary auditory cortical field (AI)

Intrinsic connections in the cat primary auditory field (AI) as revealed by injections Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) or biocytin, had an anisotropic and patchy distribution. Neurons, labelled retrogradely with PHA-L were concentrated along a dorsoventral stripe through the injection site and rostral to it; the spread of rostrally located neurons was greater after injections into regions of low rather than high characteristic frequencies. The intensity of retrograde labelling varied from weak and granular to very strong and Golgi-like. Out of 313 Golgi like retrogradely labelled neurons 79.6% were pyramidal, 17.2% multipolar, 2.6% bipolar, and 0.6% bitufted; 13.4% were putatively inhibitory, i.e. aspiny or sparsely spiny multipolar, or bitufted. Individual anterogradely labelled intrinsic axons were reconstructed for distances of 2 to 7 mm. Five main types were distinguished on the basis of the branching pattern and the location of synaptic specialisations. Type 1 axons travelled horizontally within layers II to VI and sent collaterals at regular intervals; boutons were only present in the terminal arborizations of these collaterals. Type 2 axons also travelled horizontally within layers II to VI and had rather short and thin collateral branches; boutons or spine-like protrusions occurred in most parts of the axon. Type 3 axons travelled obliquely through the cortex and formed a single terminal arborization, the only site where boutons were found. Type 4 axons travelled for some distance in layer I; they formed a heterogeneous group as to their collaterals and synaptic specializations. Type 5 axons travelled at the interface between layer VI and the white matter; boutons en passant, spine-like protrusions, and thin short branches with boutons en passant were frequent all along their trajectory. Thus, only some axonal types sustain the patchy pattern of intrinsic connectivity, whereas others are involved in a more diffuse connectivity.Abbreviations AAF anterior auditory cortical field - AI primary auditory cortical field - AII secondary auditory cortical field - ALLS anterolateral lateral suprasylvian visual area - CF characteristic frequency - IFL isofrequency line - INJ injection - LV pars lateralis of the ventral division of the MGB - MGB medial geniculate body - mss middle suprasylvian sulcus - OV pars ovoidea of the ventral division of the MGB - PAF posterior auditory field - PHA-L Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin - PO posterior nucleus of the thalamus - R rostral - SF suprasylvian fringe - syl sylvian sulcus - TBS TRIS-buffered saline - V ventral - VL ventro-lateral nucleus of the MGB