intracortical

Intracortical refers to something located within the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the brain folded into gyri and sulci. The cerebral cortex is traditionally described as having six layers, each with distinct cell types and connectivity. In common usage, intracortical denotes processes, structures, or interventions confined to this cortical tissue, as opposed to subcortical regions or the broader brain.

In neuroscience, intracortical commonly describes local circuits and connections that operate within a cortical area or between neighboring cortical columns. Intracortical connections include horizontal and vertical synaptic networks among excitatory pyramidal neurons and inhibitory interneurons across layers, shaping sensory processing, perception, motor planning, and higher-order integration. These intracortical pathways are often distinguished from corticocortical connections, which link different cortical areas, and from subcortical pathways that connect the cortex to deeper brain structures such as the thalamus or brainstem.

Applications and research involving the intracortical domain include neural recording and stimulation using intracortical electrode arrays, which measure local activity or deliver targeted electrical stimuli for research and brain–computer interface development. Intracortical microstimulation can evoke percepts or motor responses by activating local cortical circuits. Other intracortical techniques encompass targeted drug delivery and intracortical mapping to understand functional organization. Overall, intracortical studies focus on the local, within-cortex architecture that underpins cortical computation and behavior.