Common mechanisms govern the development of intra- and inter-hemispherical connections in visual cortex

This paper analyzes the distribution of both local and callosal connections in cat visual cortex V1. Using a computational model it is shown that the pattern of intra-hemispherical connections can be accounted for by assuming that the connection probability between two cells is dependent primarily on two factors — receptive field overlap and orientation selectivity. These factors can also account for many experimental observations of callosal connectivity patterns. These include the extent of the ipsilateral representation of the visual field in the ipsilateral hemisphere and the distribution of callosally projecting and receiving cells along the V1/V2 border. The findings indicate that common mechanisms underly the development of connections within and between the two hemispheres.