Local field potentials, spiking activity, and receptive fields in human visual cortex

Abstract

The concept of receptive field (RF) is central to sensory neuroscience. Neuronal RF properties have been substantially studied in animals, while those in humans remain nearly unexplored. Here, we measured neuronal RFs with intracranial local field potentials (LFPs) and spiking activity in human visual cortex (V1/V2/V3). We recorded LFPs via macro-contacts and discovered that RF sizes estimated from low-frequency activity (LFA, 0.5 -30 Hz) were larger than those estimated from low-gamma activity (LGA, 30 -60 Hz) and high-gamma activity (HGA, 60 -150 Hz). We then took a rare opportunity to record LFPs and spiking activity via microwires in V1 simultaneously.We found that RF sizes and temporal profiles measured from LGA and HGA closely matched those from spiking activity. In sum, this study reveals that spiking activity of neurons in human visual cortex could be well approximated by LGA and HGA in RF estimation and temporal profile measurement, implying the pivotal functions of LGA and HGA in early visual information processing.

An intracranial dissection of human escape circuits

“…HGA is the broadband activity spatially precise measure of local neuronal population spiking [39, 33, 40]. We extracted the HGA using the MNE software [94] in Python.…”

“…Stereotactic electroencephalography (sEEG) allows for precise electrode placement in specific targeted deep brain structures [33, 34] and enables the simultaneous recording from both cortical and subcortical regions [35, 36, 37]. This approach enables us to acquire precise measures of local neuronal population spiking with high spatiotemporal resolution [38, 39, 40], which is critical for investigating instantaneous escaping decision-making processes. In iEEG signals, the high gamma band activity (HGA) serves as a proxy for local population activity [39], allowing us to reveal human functional network dynamics [41].…”

“…This approach enables us to acquire precise measures of local neuronal population spiking with high spatiotemporal resolution [38, 39, 40], which is critical for investigating instantaneous escaping decision-making processes. In iEEG signals, the high gamma band activity (HGA) serves as a proxy for local population activity [39], allowing us to reveal human functional network dynamics [41]. In this study, we utilized sEEG to examine the roles and interplay of HGA over the cognitive fear circuit and reactive fear circuit during two escaping phases: the threat information processing (when participants are presented with threats) and the subsequent escaping stage (when participants initiate escape).…”