PhD Scientific Days 2026

Poster Session 2.M - Neurosciences

Multimodal investigation of functional map organization and stability in the primary visual cortex

Name of the presenter

Csikós, Klaudia

Institute/workplace of the presenter

HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences

Authors

Klaudia Csikós^1,3, Ábel Petik^1,4, Domonkos Horváth^1,4, Alan Urban², Dániel Hillier^1,4
1: Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
2: Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders (NERF), VIB, Department of Neuroscience KU Leuven, imec, Leuven, Belgium
3: János Szentágothai Neuroscience Doctoral School, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
4: Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary

Text of the abstract

Introduction: Understanding the three-dimensional organization and stability of functional maps in the primary visual cortex is essential for uncovering how sensory representations are maintained and reorganized over time. To address this, we established a multimodal experimental framework that integrates functional ultrasound (fUS), electrocorticography (ECoG), and widefield optical imaging within a modular recording chamber designed for long-term imaging and controlled developmental environments.
Aims: We aimed to characterize the 3D spatial organization of retinotopic and orientation maps in the cat primary visual cortex across multiple scales, and to assess functional stability over repeated imaging sessions.
Methods: High-resolution fUS imaging was used to map cortical organization from centimeter-scale cytoarchitectonic areas down to sub-millimeter iso-orientation domains. Simultaneous ECoG recordings enabled electrophysiological validation of hemodynamic signals. A widefield optical imaging environment was prepared and validated for future joint analyses.
Results: fUS imaging revealed the interplay between retinotopic and orientation maps, resolving structures from pinwheel centers to iso-orientation columns. Local orientation domains were influenced by global retinotopic embedding, indicating interdependence across spatial scales. Repeated sessions demonstrated robust, reproducible hemodynamic responses, confirming stable functional organization over time.
Conclusion: This multimodal platform enables flexible investigation of cortical map stability and interconnection across spatial and temporal scales, providing new opportunities to study how large-scale organization, local circuitry, and adaptive processes interact within sensory cortex.
Funding: Supported by grants 2019-2.1.7-ERA-NET-2021-00047, the Lendület Programme of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Excellence 151368 (NRDI fund), CELSA/24/020, KSZF-161/2024 (to D.H.), and 2024-2.1.2-EKÖP-KDP New National Excellence Program (NKFIH) (to K.Cs.).