Neocortex, the neuronal structure at the base of the remarkable cognitive skills of mammals,
is a layered sheet of neuronal tissue composed of juxtaposed and interconnected columns …

Neocortical areas are believed to be organized into vertical modules, the cortical columns,
and the horizontal layers 1–6. In the somatosensory barrel cortex these columns are defined …

Comprehensive measurement of neural activity remains challenging due to the large
numbers of neurons in each brain area. We used volumetric two-photon imaging in mice …

Computations in neocortical circuits are predominantly driven by synaptic integration of
excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory GABAergic inputs. New optical, electrophysiological …

Layer 4 neurons in primary sensory cortices receive direct sensory information from the
external world,. A general feature of these neurons is their selectivity to specific features of …

The rodent whisker system is widely used as a model system for investigating sensorimotor
integration, neural mechanisms of complex cognitive tasks, neural development, and …

Multisensory integration (MI) is crucial for sensory processing, but it is unclear how MI is
organized in cortical microcircuits. Whole-cell recordings in a mouse visuotactile area …

A key question in systems neuroscience is to identify how sensory stimuli are represented in
neuronal activity, and how the activity of sensory neurons in turn is “read out” by downstream …

Several neuronal mechanisms have been proposed to account for the formation of cognitive
abilities through postnatal interactions with the physical and sociocultural environment …

Rodent rhythmic whisking behavior matures during a critical period around 2 weeks after
birth. The functional adaptations of neocortical circuitry during this developmental period …