Neuronalis összeköttetések a szomatoszenzoros kérgi área 3b és área 1 kézreprezentációs területén foemlosökben

Introduction: The close functional relationship between areas 3b and 1 of the somatosensory cortex is based on their reciprocal connections indicating that tactile sensation depends on the interaction of these two areas. Aim: The aim of the authors was to explore this neuronal circuit at the level of the distal finger pad representation. Method: The study was made by bidirectional tract tracing aided by neurophysiological mapping in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus). Results: Inter-areal connections between the two areas preferred the homologues representations. However, intra-areal connections were formed between the neighboring finger pad representations supporting the physiological observations. Interestingly, the size of the local input area of the injected cortical micro-region, which differed in the two areas, represented the same skin area. Conclusions: The authors propose that intra-areal connections are important in integrating information across fingers, while inter-areal connections are important in maintaining input localization during hand movement.