Chance or design? Some specific considerations concerning synaptic boutons in cat visual cortex.

摘要: To understand the rules by which axons lay down their synaptic boutons we analyzed linear bouton distributions in 39 neurons (23 spiny, 13 smooth) and 3 thalamic axons, were filled intracellularly with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) during vivo experiments cat area 17. The variation of total number axonal length was large (789–7912 boutons, 12–126 mm). overall density for smooth cells higher than that spiny afferents (mean ± sd, 110 21 78 27 per mm length). distribution varied according to location on tree. Distal axon collaterals (first second order segments Horton-Strahler ordering) had a 3.5 times higher, 2 compared (more proximal) segments. interbouton intervals positively skewed similar same type. In most cases γ-distribution fitted well, but tendency have heavier tail. first approximation these are consistent both diffuse specific models interneuronal connections. Quite simple can explain connections between different classes neurons.