Analysis of segmentation ontology reveals the similarities and differences in connectivity onto L2/3 neurons in mouse V1

Quantitatively comparing brain-wide connectivity of different types of neuron is of vital importance in understanding the function of the mammalian cortex. Here we have designed an analytical approach to examine and compare datasets from hierarchical segmentation ontologies, and applied it to long-range presynaptic connectivity onto excitatory and inhibitory neurons, mainly located in layer 2/3 (L2/3), of mouse primary visual cortex (V1). We find that the origins of long-range connections onto these two general cell classes-as well as their proportions-are quite similar, in contrast to the inputs on to a cell type in L6. These anatomical data suggest that distal inputs received by the general excitatory and inhibitory classes of neuron in L2/3 overlap considerably.

Automated summary

Quantitatively comparing brain-wide connectivity of different types of neuron, the study found that the origins and proportions of long-range connections onto excitatory and inhibitory neurons in L2/3 of mouse primary visual cortex are quite similar, contrasting with a cell type in L6. These anatomical data suggest considerable overlap in distal inputs received by general excitatory and inhibitory neurons in L2/3.