What resolves this contention: Whether the dominant recurrent network response…

What resolves this contention: Whether the dominant recurrent network response to E-ensemble activation in mouse V1 is competitive suppression (Sanzeni 2023, Chettih & Harvey 2019) or balanced matched amplification/suppression that preserves coding (Dalgleish 2020). / Optogenetic excitation of E cells in mouse V1 L2/3 elicits salt-and-pepper distributed suppression across the local network — net suppressive recurrent influence. / Two-photon holographic activation of 100–200 V1 L2/3 neurons drives matched suppression that preserves spontaneous E/I balance, while ensembles remain robustly detected behaviorally — consistent with balanced recurrent operation rather than net competitive suppression.