EN
The vibrissal system of rodents has become one of the dominant models for investigating the mechanisms of sensory information processing. However, the mechanisms underlying integration of multiple whisker input is not well understood. To address this question, we recorded local fi eld potentials (LFP) from the barrel cortex in of anaesthetised rat. Recording points were distributed on the 4 × 22 grid covering two neighbouring cortical columns and septa between them. Potentials evoked (EP) by defl ection of single whiskers and sets of three whiskers (within arc and/or row) were analysed by two dimensional current source density method (2D CSD). The multiple whisker response was compared to linear predictor, defi ned as a sum of corresponding single whiskers responses. CSD performed on the data revealed signifi cant differences between linear prediction and multiple whisker defl ection. Multiple input responses had lower amplitudes as compared to linear prediction condition. The earliest differences were observed in infra- and supragranular layer approximately 8 ms after stimulation. Differences in granular layer appeared 10 ms after stimulation. Our data suggest that supra- and infra granular layers are involved in initial phase of the integration of multiple whisker inputs.