TY - JOUR T1 - Multi-regional module-based signal transmission in the mouse visual cortex JF - bioRxiv DO - 10.1101/2020.08.30.272948 SP - 2020.08.30.272948 AU - Jia, Xiaoxuan AU - Siegle, Joshua H. AU - Durand, Séverine AU - Heller, Greggory AU - Ramirez, Tamina AU - Olsen, Shawn R. Y1 - 2021/01/01 UR - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2021/05/03/2020.08.30.272948.abstract N2 - The visual cortex is organized hierarchically, but extensive recurrent and parallel pathways make it challenging to decipher signal flow between neuronal populations. Here, we recorded spiking activity from neurons in six interconnected areas along the mouse visual hierarchy. By analyzing leading and lagging spike-timing relationships among all measured neurons, we created a cellular-scale directed graph of the network. Using a novel module-detection algorithm to cluster neurons based on shared connectivity patterns, we uncovered several multi-regional communication modules that are distributed across the visual hierarchy. Based on the direction of signal flow between modules, differences in layer and area distributions, and distinct temporal dynamics, we found these modules support different stages of sensory processing. One module is positioned to transmit feedforward sensory signals along the hierarchy, whereas the other integrates inputs for recurrent processing. These results reveal a novel multi-area modular view of signal propagation in the mouse visual cortical hierarchy.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest. ER -