Layers of the monkey visual cortex are selectively modulated during electrical stimulation

The mammalian neocortex, organized into six cellular layers or laminae, forms a cortical network within layers. Layer-specific computations are crucial for sensory processing of visual stimuli within the primary visual cortex. Laminar recordings of local field potentials (LFPs) are a powerful tool to study neural activity within cortical layers. Electric brain stimulation is widely used in basic neuroscience and in a large range of clinical applications. However, the layer-specific effects of electric stimulation on LFPs remain unclear. To address this gap, we recorded laminar LFP from capuchin monkeys’ primary visual cortex while presenting a flash visual stimulus. Simultaneously, we applied a low-frequency sinusoidal current to the occipital lobe with an offset frequency to the flash stimulus repetition rate. We analyzed the modulation of visual-evoked potentials with respect to the phase of applied electric stimulation. Our results reveal that only the deeper layers, but not the superficial layers, show phase-dependent changes in LFP components with respect to the applied current. Employing a cortical column model, we show that these in vivo observations can be explained by phase-dependent changes in the driving force within neurons of deeper layers. Our findings offer crucial insight into the selective modulation of cortical layers through electrical stimulation, thus advancing approaches for more targeted neuromodulation.