The response of rat neocortical slices to electrical stimulation at the layer VI/white matter border was recorded using intrinsic signal optical imaging. The optical response of the slice is column-shaped, extends from layer VI to the pial surface, and is strongly correlated with the amplitude of simultaneously recorded evoked potentials. Spectral analysis revealed radially oriented spatial variations in the intensity of the optical signal with a period of 30-60 microm/cycle. Nissl-stained sections of slices also exhibited a radially oriented periodicity in optical density with the same period. We conclude that the periodic variations in the intrinsic optical signal correspond to stimulus-activated minicolumns.