Non-reciprocal callosal projections and input gradients underlie interhemispheric communication in binocular visual cortex.

Cell reports
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

How the brain combines information received independently by the two hemispheres is not fully understood. Here, we describe a non-reciprocal circuit for interhemispheric communication in the mouse binocular visual cortex via anatomically segregated neuronal populations. Callosal projecting neurons (CPNs) receive only weak or no callosal input, whereas callosal receiving neurons (CRNs) make only weak or no callosal projections. Both populations receive direct input from the thalamus. At the cellular level, CRNs have reduced excitability compared to non-CRNs (putative CPNs) due to higher Kv1 potassium channel expression (encoded by the KCNA2 gene), with excitability of CRNs correlating with the magnitude of callosal input. Functionally, CRNs are predominantly binocular, with binocularity correlating with callosal input, whereas non-CRNs (putative CPNs) are predominantly monocular. In summary, we find that non-reciprocal callosal projections between CPNs and CRNs together with differences in excitability shaped by callosal input underlie interhemispheric communication in binocular visual cortex.

Year of Publication
2026
Journal
Cell reports
Volume
45
Issue
1
Pages
116806
Date Published
01/2026
ISSN
2211-1247
DOI
10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116806
PubMed ID
41533510
Links