Iso-orientation bias of layer 2/3 connections unifies spontaneous, visually and optogenetically driven V1 dynamics

Long-range lateral connections within layer 2/3 of primary visual cortex help integrate information across visual space. This talk examines how a single circuit model can account for activity under visual stimulation, spontaneous conditions and patterned optogenetic input. Moderately stronger connections between similarly oriented cells reproduce visual integration, modular spontaneous activity, travelling cortical waves and optogenetic responses. The model predicts slower, isotropic spontaneous waves in layer 4 and a non-monotonic response as the illuminated optogenetic disk grows, providing experimentally testable links between connectivity and cortical dynamics.