Neuroanatomical study of afferent projections to the supramammillary nucleus of the rat

We examined the regions projecting to the supramammillary nucleus of the rat with retrograde transport of WGA-HRP and WGA, and anterograde transport of Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin. The supramammillary nucleus receives major descending afferents from the infralimbic cortex, the dorsal peduncular cortex, the nucleus of the diagonal band of Broca, the medial and lateral preoptic nuclei, bilaterally. The major ascending afferents come from the pars compacta of the nucleus centralis superior, the ventral tegmental nucleus, and the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus. The supramammillary nucleus also receives a few (but distinct) fibers from the anterior and lateral hypothalamic nuclei, the ventral premammillary nucleus, the interpeduncular nucleus, the cuneiform nucleus, the dorsal raphe nucleus, the incertus nucleus, and the C3 region including the prepositus hypoglossi nucleus. All descending fibers run through the medial forebrain bundle. Almost all ascending fibers from the pars compacta of the nucleus centralis superior and the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus run through the mammillary peduncle, and terminate throughout the supramammillary nucleus. A few fibers from the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus and the C3 region run through the fasciculus longitudinalis dorsalis and terminate in the dorsal part of the supramammillary nucleus including the supramammillary decussation.Abbreviations a anterior commissure - AC accumbens nucleus - AR arcuate nucleus - BS bed nucleus of the stria terminalis - C3 C3 adrenergic region - CA interstitial nucleus of Cajal - CC pars compacta of the nucleus centralis superior - CS nucleus centralis superior - CU cuneiform nucleus - CX cingulate cortex - DB nucleus of the diagonal band of Broca - DH dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus - ds decussation of the superior cerebellar peduncle - DX dorsal peduncular cortex - f fornix - fld fasciculus longitudinalis dorsalis - flm fasciculus longitudinalis medialis - IN incertus nucleus - IX infralimbic cortex - LC nucleus of the locus ceruleus - le lemniscus medialis - LH lateral hypothalamic nucleus - LM lateral mammillary nucleus - LO lateral preoptic nucleus - LS lateral septal nucleus - LT laterodorsal tegmental nucleus - mfb medial forebrain bundle - MM medial mammillary nucleus - MO medial preoptic nucleus - mp mammillary peduncle - mt mammillothalamic tract - MV medial vestibular nucleus - PD dorsal premammillary nucleus - PH prepositus hypoglossi nucleus - PV ventral premammillary nucleus - RD dorsal raphe nucleus - rf fasciculus retroflexus - SUM supramammillary nucleus - sx supramammillary decussation - T tenia tecta - TD dorsal tegmental nucleus - TM tuberomammillary nucleus - TV ventral tegmental nucleus - VT ventral tegmental area of Tsai     

Ascending projections from the nucleus of the brachium of the inferior colliculus in the cat

Summary Ascending projections from the nucleus of the brachium of the inferior colliculus (NBIC) in the cat were studied by the autoradiographic tracing method. Many fibers from the NBIC ascend ipsilaterally in the lateral tegmentum along the medial border of the brachium of the inferior colliculus. At midbrain levels, fibers from the NBIC end in the superior colliculus, the pretectum, the central gray and the peripeduncular tegmental region bilaterally with ipsilateral predominance. NBIC fibers to the superior colliculus are distributed densely to laminae VI an III throughout the whole rostrocaudal extent of the colliculus. In the pretectum, NBIC fibers terminate in the anterior and medial nuclei and the nucleus of the posterior commissure. NBIC fibers to the dorsal thalamus are distributed largely ipsilaterally. Many NBIC fibers end in the dorsal and medial divisions of the medial geniculate body, but few in the ventral division. The NBIC also sends fibers to the suprageniculate, limitans and lateralis posterior nuclei and the lateral portion of the posterior nuclear complex; these regions of termination of NBIC fibers constitute, as a whole, a single NBIC recipient sector. Additionally, the NBIC sends fibers to the centralis lateralis, medialis dorsalis, paraventricular and subparafascicular nuclei of the thalamus.Abbreviations APtC Pars compacta of anterior pretectal nucleus - APtR Pars reticulata of anterior pretectal nucleus - BIC Brachium of infertior colliculus - CG Central gray - CL Nucleus centralis lateralis - CP Cerebral peduncle - D Dorsal division of medial geniculate body - IC Inferior colliculus - LG Lateral geniculate body - LP Nucleus lateralis posterior - Lim Nucleus limitans - M Medial division of medial geniculate body - MD Nucleus medialis dorsalis - ML Medial lemniscus - NBIC Nucleus of brachium of inferior colliculus - NPC Nucleus of posterior commissure - PN Pontine nuclei - Ppr Peripeduncular region - Pt Pretectum - Pbg Parabigeminal nucleus - Pol Lateral portion of posterior nuclear complex - Pom Medial portion of posterior nuclear complex - Pul Pulvinar - Pv Nucleus paraventricularis - R Red nucleus - SC Superior colliculus - Sg Nucleus suprageniculatus - Spf Nucleus subparafascicularis - V Ventral division of medial geniculate body - VPL Nucleus ventralis posterolateralis - VPM Nucleus ventralis posteromedialis - II,III,IV,VI Tectal laminae     

The termination of the spinothalamic tract in the cat an experimental study with silver impregnation methods

Summary The termination of the spinothalamic tract (STT) in the cat has been studied light microscopically in Fink-Heimer and Nauta impregnated sections. Following lesions of the STT at various rostrocaudal levels of the spinal cord the degenerating fibres in the thalamus and subthalamus were mapped, mainly in transverse sections. The cervicothalamic tract was not injured by the lesions.The spinothalamic fibres enter the diencephalon through the mesencephalic reticular formation and terminate in the following regions: the medial portion of the magnocellular part of the medial geniculate body (MGmc), the ventrolateral portion of the medial part of the posterior nuclear complex (PO_m), the caudolateral and medial parts of the zona incerta (ZI), the nucleus centralis medialis (CeM), the nucleus parafascicularis (Pf), the lateral part of the nucleus centralis lateralis (CL), the medial and rostrolateral parts of the nucleus ventralis lateralis (VL). To reach these regions the fibres pass through the nucleus centrum medianum (CM), the nucleus subparafascicularis (SPf) and the nucleus paracentralis (Pc). The fibres that terminate in the VL pass through Forel's field H₁ and the external medullated lamina (EML). Conclusive results were not obtained concerning a termination in the CM. The spinothalamic fibres do not pass through nor terminate in the nucleus ventralis posterolateralis (VPL) and the nucleus reticularis (R). The VPL, defined as that portion of the ventral thalamus that receives terminal fibres from the dorsal column nuclei, has been found to extend rostrally only as far as Horsley-Clarke level anterior 10.5. The results strongly support the view that all the spinothalamic fibres terminate ipsilateral to their course in the ventral quadrant of the spinal cord. No signs of a somatotopical organization of the termination of the STT were found.List of Abbreviations Cd nucleus caudatus - CeM nucleus centralis medialis - CG circumaqueductal gray substance - CL nucleus centralis lateralis thalami - CM nucleus centrum medianum thalami - CP commissura posterior - CTT cervicothalamic tract - EML external medullated lamina - H₁ Forel's field H₁ - HP tractus habenulopeduncularis - LCN nucleus cervicalis lateralis - LG corpus geniculatum laterale - LP nucleus lateralis posterior thalami - MD nucleus medialis dorsalis thalami - MG corpus geniculatum mediale - MGmc corpus geniculatum mediale, pars magnocellularis - MGp corpus geniculatum mediale, pars principalis - ML medial lemniscus - MRF mesencephalic reticular formation - OT optic tract - Pc nucleus paracentralis thalami - Pf nucleus parafascicularis thalami - PO posterior group of thalamic nuclei - PO₁ lateral part of PO - PO_m medial part of PO - R nucleus reticularis thalami - SG nucleus suprageniculatus - STT spinothalamic tract - VA nucleus ventralis anterior - VL nucleus ventralis lateralis thalami - VM nucleus ventralis medialis thalami - VPI nucleus ventralis posterior inferior - VPL nucleus ventralis posterior lateralis thalami (VPL₁ + VPL_m) - VPL₁ lateral part of VPL - VPL_m medial part of VPL - VPM nucleus ventralis posterior medialis thalami - VPMpc parvocellular part of VPM - ZI zona incerta     

The vestibulothalamic projections in the cat studied by retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase

Summary Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected or iontophoretically ejected in various thalamic nuclei in 63 adult cats. In 11 other animals HRP was deposited outside the thalamic territory. The number and distribution of labelled cells within the vestibular nuclear complex (VC) were mapped in each case. To a varying degree all subgroups of VC appear to contribute to the vestibulothalamic projections. Such fibres are distributed to several thalamic areas. From the present investigation it appears that generally speaking, there exist three distinct vestibulothalamic pathways with regard to origin as well as to site of termination of the fibres. One projection appears to originate mainly in caudal parts of the medial (M) and descending (D) vestibular nuclei and in cell group z. This pathway terminates chiefly in the contralateral medial part of the posterior nucleus of the thalamus (POm) including the magnocellular part of the medial geniculate body (Mgmc), the ventrobasal complex (VB) and the area of the ventral lateral nucleus (VL) bordering on VB. A second projection originates mainly in the superior vestibular nucleus (S) and in cell group y and terminates mainly in the contralateral nucleus centralis lateralis (CL) and the adjoining nucleus paracentralis (Pc). A third, more modest, pathway originates chiefly in the middle M and D, with a minor contribution from S and cell group y, and terminates in the contralateral ventral nucleus of the lateral geniculate body (GLV). There is some degree of overlap between the origin of these three vestibulothalamic pathways.Abbreviations B.c. brachium conjunctivum - CeM nucleus centralis medialis thalami - CL nucleus centralis lateralis thalami - CM nucleus centrum medianum - D nucleus vestibularis descendons - f cell group f - g cell group g - GLD corpus geniculatum laterale dorsalis - GLV corpus geniculatum laterale ventralis - i.e. nucleus intercalatus - L nucleus vestibularis lateralis - LD nucleus lateralis dorsalis thalami - LIM lamina medullaris interna - Lim nucleus limitans - LP nucleus lateralis posterior thalami - M nucleus vestibularis medialis - MD nucleus medialis dorsalis thalami - MGmc corpus geniculatum mediale, pars magnocellularis - MGp corpus geniculatum mediale, pars principalis - N.cu.e. nucleus cuneatus externus - N.f.c. nucleus fasciculi cuneati - N.mes. V nucleus mesencephalicus nervi trigemini - NR nucleus ruber - N.tr.s. nucleus tractus solitarius - N. VII nervus facialis - N. VIII nervus statoacusticus - PC pedunculus cerebri - Pc nucleus paracentralis thalami - Pf nucleus parafascicularis - p.h. nucleus prepositus hypoglossi - PO posterior thalamic group - PO1 lateral part of PO - POm medial part of PO - Prt nucleus pretectalis - Pul pulvinar - R nucleus reticularis thalami - S nucleus vestibularis superior - Sg nucleus suprageniculatus - SN substantia nigra - Sv nucleus supravestibularis - Tr.s. tractus solitarius - VA nucleus ventralis anterior thalami - VL nucleus ventralis lateralis thalami - VPL nucleus ventralis posterior lateralis - VPL1 lateral part of VPL - VPLm medial part of VPL - VPM nucleus ventralis posterior medialis - x cell group x - y cell group y - z cell group z - V nucleus motorius nerve trigemini - X nucleus dorsalis nerve vagi - XII nucleus nervi hypoglossi     

Ascending and descending components of the medial forebrain bundle in the rat as demonstrated by the horseradish peroxidase-blue reaction

Summary The ascending and descending components of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) were investigated by means of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) with a sensitive substrate. The HRP was injected iontophoretically into the MFB at various levels from the anterior commissure to the posterior hypothalamus. In order to prevent the diffusion of HRP to other brain areas, a double micropipette system was used. The descending components of the MFB are derived from (1) the anterior cingulate area, infra- or prelimbic area, and sulcal cortex, (2) the lateral septal nucleus and diagonal band, (3) the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, (4) the paraventricular nucleus (5) the substantia innominata, (6) the amygdaloid complex (AM), (7) the ventromedial (VM) and dorsomedial (DM) hypothalamic nuclei, (8) the entopeduncular nucleus and (9) nucleus periventricularis stellatocellularis. The ascending components of the MFB originate in: (1) the medial preoptic nucleus, (2) the nucleus periventricularis stellatocellularis and rotundocellularis, (3) the posterior hypothalamic nucleus, (4) the parafascicular nucleus, (5) the ventral premammillary nucleus, (6) the substantia grisea periventricularis, (7) the lateral habenular nucleus, (8) the VM and DM, (9) the paratenial nucleus, (10) the AM and (11) the arcuate nucleus.Abbreviations used in Figures and Tables a nucleus accumbens - abl nucleus amygdaloideus basalis, pars lateralis - abm nucleus amygdaloideus basalis, pars medialis - ac nucleus amygdaloideus centralis - AC anterior cingulate area - al nucleus amygdaloideus lateralis - am nucleus amygdaloideus medialis - ar nucleus arcuatus - CC tractus corporis callosi - CSDV commissura supraoptica dorsalis, pars ventralis - DB diagonal band - DM nucleus dorsomedialis hypothalami - EP nucleus entopeduncularis - ha nucleus anterior hypothalami - hl nucleus lateralis hypothalami - hp nucleus posterior hypothalami - IL infralimbic area of frontal cortex - lh nucleus habenulae lateralis - LH₁ medial forebrain bundle (MFB) at the level of commissura anterior - LH₂ lateral preoptic area - LH₃ MFB at the level of the nucleus anterior hypothalami - LH₄ MFB at the level of the nucleus ventromedialis hypothalami - LH₅ MFB at the level of the nucleus posterior hypothalami - MFB medial forebrain bundle - pf nucleus parafascicularis - PL prelimbic area of frontal cortex - pol nucleus preopticus lateralis - pom nucleus preopticus medialis - posc nucleus preopticus, pars suprachiasmatica - pt nucleus parataenialis - pv nucleus premamillaris ventralis - PV nucleus paraventricularis - pvs nucleus periventricularis stellatocellularis - pvr nucleus periventricularis rotundocellularis - SC sulcal cortex - SGPV substantia grisea periventricularis - SI substantia innominata - SL lateral septal nucleus - ST bed nucleus of stria terminalis - sum nucleus supramamillaris - TO tractus opticus - tmm nucleus medialis thalami, pars medialis - VM nucleus ventromedialis hypothalami The nomenclature used in this paper is according to König and Klippel's Stereotaxic Atlas (1967).     

Afferent fiber connections from lower brain stem to hypothalamus studied by the horseradish peroxidase method with special reference to noradrenaline innervation

Summary Attempts were made to determine the afferent projections to the anterior hypothalamus including the preoptic area from the lower brain stem by means of the horseradish peroxidase method combined with monoamine oxidase staining to identify noradrenaline (NA) neurons. In addition to this technique, a histofluorescence analysis was performed. NA fibers in the medial part of the anterior hypothalamus were mainly supplied by A1 and A2 NA neuron groups, while the lateral part and periventricular zone received NA terminals from both pontine and medulla oblongata NA neuron groups. Furthermore, the present study indicated that there were direct projections to the anterior hypothalamus from non-noradrenergic neurons in the lower brain stem: nuclei raphe dorsalis, centralis superior, cells in the mesencephalic and pontine central gray matter, nuclei parabrachialis lateralis and medialis, cells around fasciculus longitudinalis medialis.Abbreviations CA Commissura anterior - CO Chiasma opticum - DP Decussatio pyramidum - DPCS Decussatio pedunculorum cerebellarium superiorum - F Columna fornicis - FLM Fasciculus longitudinalis medialis - FMT Fasciculus mamillothalamicus - GCM Griseum centrale mesencephali - GCP Griseum centrale pontis - LL Lemniscus lateralis - LM Lemniscus medialis - PCM Pedunculus cerebellaris medius - PCS Pedunculus cerebellaris superior - TO Tractus opticus - TS Tractus solitarius - TVme Tractus mesencephalicus nervi trigemini - V Ventriculus tertius - VTS Tractus spinalis nervi trigemini - am nucleus ambiguus - B Barrington nucleus - com nucleus commissuralis - cp nucleus caudatus putamen - cs nucleus centralis superior - ct nucleus corporis trapezoidei - cu nucleus cuneatus - dX nucleus dorsalis nervi vagi - Gd nucleus tegmentalis dorsalis (von Gudden) - gr nucleus gracilis - Gv nucleus tegmentalis ventralis (von Gudden) - ha nucleus hypothalamicus anterior - hl nucleus hypothalamicus lateralis - hpe nucleus periventricularis (hypothalami) - hvm nucleus ventromedialis hypothalami - lc nucleus locus coeruleus - oi nucleus olivaris inferior - p nucleus pontis - pa nucleus paraventricularis - pbl nucleus parabrachialis lateralis - pbm nucleus parabrachialis medialis - ph nucleus praepositus hypoglossi - pol nucleus preopticus lateralis - pom nucleus preopticus medialis - pop nucleus preopticus periventricularis - rd nucleus raphe dorsalis - re nucleus reuniens - rl nucleus reticularis lateralis - rm nucleus raphe magnus - ro nucleus raphe obscrus - sc nucleus suprachiasmaticus - so nucleus supraopticus - st nucleus interstitialis striae terminalis - td nucleus tractus diagonalis (Broca) - ts nucleus tractus solitarii - Vme nucleus mesencephalicus nervi trigemini - Vmo nucleus motorius nervi trigemini - Vts nucleus tractus spinalis nervi trigemini - XII nucleus nervi hypoglossi     

Projections from the primary somatosensory cortex to basal ganglia and thalamus in the monkey

Summary Radioactive amino acids were injected into the postcentral cortex (areas 3, 1 and 2) in 6 monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Fibers were traced to the ipsilateral putamen, to Olszewski's n. ventralis posterior lateralis pars caudalis, n. ventralis posterior medialis and inferior, to n. pulvinaris oralis, n. suprageniculatus and corpus geniculatum mediale pars magnocellularis. Furthermore, there were faint postcentral projections to claustrum, n. caudatus, n. centralis lateralis, n. centrum medianum, zona incerta and with respect to the postcentral face region to n.medialis dorsalis pars multiformis.Discrepancies with earlier findings were discussed and comparison was made between pre- and postcentral target regions.Abbreviations Cd n. caudatus - ci capsula interna - CL n. centralis lateralis - Cl claustrum - CM n. centrum medianum - GL corpus geniculatum laterale - GM corpus geniculatum mediale - GMpc corpus geniculatum mediale pars parvocellularis - GMmc corpus geniculatum mediale pars magnocellularis - GP globus pallidus - la sulcus lateralis - LP n. lateralis posterior - MD n. medialis dorsalis - OI opercular-insular cortex - Pen n. paracentralis - Pf n. parafascicularis - PI n. pulvinaris inferior - PO n. pulvinaris oralis - Pu putamen - RT n. reticularis thalami - SG n. suprageniculatus - SN substantia nigra - St n. subthalamicus - thi tractus habenulo-interpeduncularis - tmt tractus mammillo-thalamicus - to tractus opticus - VA n. ventralis anterior - VLc n. ventralis lateralis, p. caudalis - VLo n. ventralis lateralis, p. oralis - VPI n. ventralis posterior inferior - VPL n. ventralis posterior lateralis - VPLc n. ventralis posterior lateralis p. caudalis - VPLo n. ventralis posterior lateralis p. oralis - VPM n. ventralis posterior medialis - ZI zona incerta     

Afferent subcortical connections into the motor cortical larynx area in the rhesus monkey

In three rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta), the inferior motor cortex was explored by electrical stimulation for sites yielding vocal fold adduction. The retrograde tracer wheat germ-agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase was injected into the effective sites. Within the forebrain, retrogradely labeled cells were found in the claustrum, basal nucleus of Meynert, substantia innominata, extended amygdala, lateral and posterior hypothalamic area, field H of Forel, and a number of thalamic nuclei with the strongest labeling in the nuclei ventralis lateralis, ventralis posteromedialis, including its parvocellular part, medialis dorsalis and centrum medianum, and weaker labeling in the nuclei ventralis anterior, ventralis posterolateralis, intermediodorsalis, paracentralis, parafascicularis and pulvinaris anterior. In the midbrain, labeling was found in the deep mesencephalic nucleus, ventral tegmental area, and substantia nigra. In the lower brainstem, labeled cells were found in the pontine reticular formation, median and dorsal raphe nuclei, medial parabrachial nucleus, and locus coeruleus. The findings are discussed in terms of the possible role of these structures in voluntary vocal control.     

The thalamic connections with medial area 6 (supplementary motor cortex) in the monkey (macaca fascicularis)

Summary 1. The interrelationship of medial area 6 (supplementary motor area) with the thalamus was investigated by means of anterograde and retrograde tracing methods. Nine monkeys were prepared for autoradiography or histochemistry with the marker HRP conjugated to the lectin wheat germ agglutinin. Three of the monkeys received injections into the precentral cortex for comparison. 2. Previous observations were confirmed that the thalamic relays to the motor areas are organized as crescent-shaped lamellae which transgress cytoarchitectonic boundaries. The thalamic VA-VL complex receiving fibres from areas 4 and medial area 6 also sends fibres to these same areas. 3. The thalamic relay to medial area 6 comprised the following subdivisions: VLo, VLc, area X of Olszewski, VLm and, to a smaller extent VA. 4. Labeling (mostly anterograde only) was also prominent in some thalamic compartments outside the motor thalamus: R, CL, CM-Pf, MD, LP, PULo. 5. It was noted that rostral and caudal injections into the medial area 6 resulted in different thalamic labeling: The rostral portion was found to be related mainly with VApc, area X and VLc, the central portion with VLo, and the caudal portion with VLc/VLo. This structural inhomogeneity may reflect also a functional rostro-caudal differentiation of the medial area 6. 6. The thalamic territory projecting to the precentral cortex is separate from the above relay and includes principally VPLo. 7. The present anatomical labeling study is in agreement with the conclusion of Schell and Strick (1984) that the SMA, especially its central portion, is an important target of basal ganglia outflow via the thalamic relay VLo. In addition consistent labeling was also found in thalamic subdivisions (area X, VLc) which had been found to receive cerebellar fibres.Abbreviations AD Nucleus anterior dorsalis - AM Nucleus anterior medialis - AV Nucleus anterior ventralis - ARG Autoradiography - CL Nucleus centralis lateralis - CM Centre median nucleus - Comm. post. Commissura posterior - CLS Nucleus centralis superior lateralis - For Fornix - GM Nucleus geniculatus medialis - In p.c. Nucleus interstitialis of the posterior commissure - LD Nucleus lateralis dorsalis - Li Nucleus limitans - LP Nucleus lateralis posterior - MDmc Nucleus medialis dorsalis, pars magnocellularis - MDmf Nucleus medialis dorsalis, pars multiformis - MDpc Nucleus medialis dorsalis, pars parvocellularis - NRmc Nucleus ruber magnocellularis - NRpc Nucleus ruber parvocellularis - Pcn Nucleus paracentralis - Pf Nucleus parafascicularis - Pul.i. Nucleus pulvinaris inferior - Pul.l. Nucleus pulvinaris lateralis - Pul.m. Nucleus pulvinaris medialis - Pul.o. Nucleus pulvinaris oralis - R Nucleus reticularis thalami - SMA Supplementary motor area - STh Nucleus subthalamicus - VAmc Nucleus ventralis anterior, pars magnocellularis - VApc Nucleus ventralis anterior, pars parvocellularis - VLc Nucleus ventralis lateralis, pars caudalis - VLm Nucleus ventralis lateralis, pars medialis - VLo Nucleus ventralis lateralis, pars oralis - VLps Nucleus ventralis lateralis, pars postrema; - VPI Nucleus ventralis posterior inferior - VPLo Nucleus ventralis posterior lateralis, pars oralis - VPM Nucleus ventralis posterior medialis - WGA-HRP Horseradish peroxidase conjugated to the lectin wheat germ agglutinin; - X Area X - ZI Zona incerta     

Habenular projections in the monitor lizard (Varanus benegalensis)

Summary The efferent connections of the medial (MHb) and the lateral (LHb) habenular nuclei in the monitor lizard were studied using experimental degeneration techniques. The MHb was found to project to the interpeduncular nucleus and the parvocellular nucleus of the superior raphe via the core portion of the habenulo-peduncular tract (HPT). The LHb fibers form the mantle portion of the HPT and curve laterally to collect again in the ventral tegmentum. From here, they follow either (1) the medial forebrain bundle to terminate in hypothalamus, ventromedial thalamus, preoptic area, and septum, or (2) they continue caudally to terminate in the superior raphe and the paramedian reticular formation, or (3) they decussate and follow in smaller numbers the ascending and descending pathways on the other side. Some fibers enter the midline and reach the periventricular zone of the midbrain. Short range projections exist to the dorsomedial thalamic nucleus and the paramedian central gray and pretectum. The habenular projections are bilateral, however, much smaller on the contralateral side. Although distinct terminal fields were not found in the substahtia nigra and the central gray of the isthmic region, the overall pattern of habenular pathways is strikingly similar to those found in mammals which confirms a long presumed phylogenetic stability of habenular connections.Abbreviations AC anterior commissure - DLA nucleus dorsolateralis anterior thalami - DM nucleus dorsomedialis thalami - EP entopeduncular nucleus - GLd nucleus geniculatus lateralis, pars dorsalis - GLv nucleus geniculatus lateralis, pars ventralis - GPT nucleus geniculatus praetectalis - Hb habenula - HbC habenular commissure - HPT habenulo-peduncular tract - Hy hypothalamus - IP interpeduncular nucleus - LFB lateral forebrain bundle - LHb lateral habenular nucleus - LHy nucleus lateralis hypothalami - MFB medial forebrain bundle - MHb medial habenular nucleus - N neostriatum - NIII oculomotor nucleus - nIII oculomotor nerve - nIV trochlear nerve - Pa paleostriatum - PC posterior commissure - PD nucleus posterodorsalis - PHy nucleus paraventricularis hypothalami - Ra raphe nuclei - Re nucleus reuniens - Rt nucleus rotundus - Ru nucleus ruber - RMS nucleus magnocellularis raphe superior - RPS nucleus parvocellularis raphe superior - SAP stratum album periventriculare - SGP stratum griseum periventriculare - Se septum - SMe stria medullaris - SRF superior reticular formation - TO nucleus opticus tegmenti - VHy nucleus ventralis hypothalami - VL nucleus ventrolateralis thalami - VM nucleus ventromedialis thalami Supported by a postdoctoral fellowship to H. Distel from the Alfred Sloan Foundation and by the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung     

An autoradiographic study of efferent connections of the globus pallidus in Macaca mulatta

Summary Radioactive amino acids were injected into restricted regions of the globus pallidus of rhesus macaques to allow identification of the organization and courses of efferent pallidal projections. The previously identified projection of the internal pallidal segment (GPi) to ventral thalamic nuclei showed a topographic organization, with the predominant projection from ventral GPi being to medial and caudal ventralis anterior (VA) and lateralis (VL) and from dorsal GPi to lateral and rostral VA and VL. Pallidal efferent fibers also extended caudally and dorsally into pars caudalis of VL, but they spared the portion of pars oralis of VL shown by others to receive input from the cerebellum. In addition to centromedian labeling in all animals, the parafascicular nucleus was also labeled when isotope was injected into dorsal GPi. The medial route from GPi to the midbrain tegmentum was more substantial than has been shown before, and along this route there was an indication that some fibers terminated in the prerubral region. The projection to the pedunculopontine nucleus was extensive, and fibers continued caudally into the parabrachial nuclei.Pallidal projections to the thalamus seem to be topographically organized but spare thalamic regions that interact with area 4. Caudally directed efferent fibers follow multiple routes and extend more caudally than to the pedunculopontine nuclei.Abbreviations Cd caudate nucleus - CM centromedian nucleus - CT central tegmental tract - DPCS decussation of superior cerebellar peduncle - F fornix - FLM medial longitudinal fasciculus - GPe globus pallidus, pars externa - GPi globus pallidus, pars interna - HbL lateral habenular nucleus - HbM medial habenular nucleus - Is interstitial nucleus - LM medial lemniscus - MD dorsomedial nucleus - PbL lateral parabrachial nucleus - PbM medial parabrachial nucleus - PCS superior cerebellar peduncle - Pf parafascicular nucleus - PPN pedunculopontine nucleus - Put putamen - R reticular nucleus - Rmg red nucleus, pars magnocellularis - Rpc red nucleus, pars parvocellularis - S stria medullaris - SI substantia innominata - SNc substantia nigra, pars compacta - SNr substantia nigra, pars reticulata - St subthalamic nucleus - ST stria terminalis - THI habenulointerpeduncular tract - TM tuberomamillary nucleus - TMT mamillothalamic tract - VA nucleus ventralis anterior - VAmg nucleus ventralis anterior, pars magnocellularis - VAp nucleus ventralis anterior, pars principalis - VI nucleus ventralis intermedius - VLc nucleus ventralis lateralis, pars caudalis - VLm nucleus ventralis lateralis, pars medialis - VLo nucleus ventralis lateralis, pars oralis - VPL nucleus ventralis posterior lateralis - X area X Supported by National Institutes of Health, grant RR00166, Rehabilitation Services Administration, grant 16-P-56818, and PHS grant NS10804     

An immunocytochemical mapping of ACTH/CLIP in the cat diencephalon

Using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique, the location of cell bodies and fibres containing adrenocorticotropin hormone/corticotropin-like intermediate lobe peptide (ACTH/CLIP) was studied in the cat diencephalon. Immunoreactivity was observed in several diencephalic nuclei of the cat in which no immunoreactivity has been previously reported. In this sense, a low density of immunoreactive cell bodies was found in the nucleus ventromedialis hypothalami; a high density of immunoreactive fibres was found in the medial preoptic area; a moderate density in the lateral preoptic area and in the nuclei centralis thalami (pars medialis), interventralis thalami, interanteromedialis thalami, parafascicularis and praemamillaris (pars ventralis and pars dorsalis); a low density in the nuclei habenularis lateralis and reuniens thalami, and single fibres were found in the nuclei lateralis thalami (pars anterior), habenularis medialis, parataenialis, corpus geniculatum mediale, ventralis thalami (pars medialis) and in the fornix. Our results point to a more widespread distribution of ACTH/CLIP immunoreactive structures in the cat diencephalon in comparison with previous studies carried out in the same region of this feline.     

Brain stimulation-induced changes of phonation in the squirrel monkey

Summary In 11 squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus), the brain stem was systematically explored with electrical brain stimulation for sites affecting the acoustic structure of ongoing vocalization. Vocalization was elicited by electrical stimulation of different brain structures. A severe deterioration of the acoustical structure of vocalization was obtained during stimulation of the caudoventral part of the periaqueductal grey, lateral parabrachial area, corticobulbar tract, nucl. ambiguus and surrounding reticular formation, facial nucleus, hypoglossal nucleus, solitary tract nucleus and along the fibres crossing the midline at the level of the hypoglossal nucleus. It is suggested that these structures are part of, or at least have direct access to, the motor coordination mechanism of phonation. Complete inhibition of phonation was obtained from the raphe and raphe-near reticular formation.Abbreviations Ab nucl ambiguus - APt area praetectalis - BC brachium conjunctivum - BP brachium pontis - Cb cerebellum - CC corpus callosum - Cd nucl. caudatus - Cf nucl. cuneiformis - Cel nucl. centralis lateralis - Cl claustrum - CM centrum medianum - Cn nucl. cuneatus - Co nucl. cochlearis - CoI colliculus inferior - CoS colliculus superior - CP commissura posterior - CPf cortex piriformis - CRf corpus restiforme - CSL nucl. centralis superior lateralis thalami - CT corpus trapezoideum - DBC decussatio brachii conjunctivi - DG nucl. dorsalis tegmenti (Gudden) - DLM decussatio lemnisci medialis - DPy decussatio pyramidum - DR nucl. dorsalis raphae - DV nucl. dorsalis n. vagi - DIV decussatio n. trochlearis - EP epiphysis - FC funiculus cuneatus - FL funiculus lateralis - FLM fasciculus longitudinalis medialis - FRM formatio reticularis myelencephali - FRP formatio reticularis pontis - FRPc formatio reticularis pontis caudalis - FRPo formatio reticularis pontis oralis - FRTM formatio reticularis mesencephali - FV funiculus ventralis - G nucl. gracilis - GC substantia grisea centralis (periaqueductal grey) - GL nucl. geniculatus lateralis - GM nucl. geniculatus medialis - GP globus pallidus - GPM griseum periventriculare mesencephali - GPo griseum pontis - Hip hippocampus - HL nucl. habenularis lateralis - H habenula - IP nucl. interpeduncularis - LC locus coeruleus - LD nucl. lateralis dorsalis thalami - Lim nucl. limitans - LLd nucl. lemnisci lateralis, pars dorsalis - LLv nucl. lemnisci lateralis, pars ventrali - LM lemniscus medialis - LP nucl. lateralis posterior thalami - MD nucl. medialis dorsalis thalami - MV nucl. motorius n. trigemini - NCS nucl. centralis superior - NCT nucl. trapezoidalis - NMV nucl. mesencephalicus n. trigemini - NR nucl. ruber - NSV nucl. spinalisn. trigemini - NTS nucl. tractus solitarii - NIII nucl. oculomotorius - NIV nucl. trochlearis - NVI nucl. abducens - NVII nucl. facialis - NXII nucl. hypoglossus - OI oliva inferior - OS oliva superior - P nucl. posterior thalami - PbL nucl. parabrachialis lateralis - PbM nucl. parabrachialis medialis - PC depedunculus cerebri - Pd nucl. peripeduncularis - Pg nucl. parabigeminalis - Pp nucl. praepositus - PuI nucl. pulvinaris inferior - PuL nucl. pulvinaris lateralis - PuM nucl. pulvinaris medialis - PuO nucl. pulvinaris oralis - Py tractus pyramidalis - Pv nucl. principalis n. trigemini - R Ab nucl. retroambiguus - RL nucl. reticularis lateralis - RTP nucl. reticularis tegmenti pontis - Sf nucl. subfascicularis - SGD substantia grisea dorsalis - SGV substantia grisea ventralis - SN substantia nigra - ST stria terminalis - St subthalamus - TRM tractus retroflexus (Meynert) - TSc tractus spinocerebellaris - Ves nucl. vestibularis - VL nucl. ventralis lateralis - VPI nucl. ventralis posterior inferior - VPL nucl. ventralis posterior lateralis - VPM nucl. ventralis posterior medialis - VR nucl. ventralis raphae - Zi zona incerta - II tractus opticus - VII n. facialis     

Electrosensory pathways to the valvula cerebelli in mormyrid fish

Summary The valvula cerebelli of mormyrid fish has been implicated in the electroreceptive capabilities of these animals. This study uses peroxidase and tritiated amino acid tracing techniques to examine the pathways by which electroreceptive information gains access to the valvula.Ampullary and mormyromast receptor information reaches the medial and ventrolateral portions of the valvula by means of a large, direct projection from n. lateralis, part of the midbrain electrosensory area. In addition, smaller indirect n. lateralis-valvular projections travel via a pretectal nucleus and the so-called postventral thalamic nucleus. Knollenorgan receptor information ends in the dorsolateral portion of the valvula. A small, relatively direct pathway runs via n. medialis ventralis, but most Knollenorgan information appears to travel via an indirect system involving n. extrolateralis pars posterior and n. isthmi.The lateral line processing areas of the valvula project back onto many of the midbrain electrosensory nuclei. These results indicate that much of the cerebellum of this family is devoted to sensory processing rather than motor functions.Abbrevations A anterior thalamic nucleus - AC anterior commissure - CC corpus cerebelli - DAP dorsal anterior prectal nucleus - DC area dorsalis centralis of the telencephalon - DL area dorsalis lateralis of the telencephalon - DM area dorsalis medialis of the telencephalon - dV nucleus of the descending trigeminal tract - Ex nuc. extrolateralis - FL 2 lateral funicular nucleus No. 2 - g granule cell layer of the valvula cerebelli - GI nuc. isthmi - H habenula - Hy hypothalamus - LC caudal lobe of the cerebellum - LI inferior lobe - LL lateral lemniscus - m molecular layer of the valvula cerebelli - mF medial funicular nucleus - nD nuc. dorsalis - nG nuc. geniculatum - nL nuc. lateralis - nXs visceral sensory nucleus - PC nuc. of the posterior commissure - PE nuc. praeeminentialis - PL mesencephalic perilemniscal neurons - PLLL posterior lateral line lobe - PV postventral thalamic nucleus - tDc tr. diencephalocerebellaris - Tel telencephalon - TL torus longitudinalis - tMC tr. mesencephalocerebellaris - TO optic tectum - tSC tr. spinocerebellaris - tV descending trigeminal tract - v ventricle - VC valvula cerebelli - VT ventral thalamic nucleus     

The topology of the thalamo-cortical projections in the marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus)

Summary This paper addresses the question of a general topological principle of thalamo-cortical projections. In the lissencephalic primate brain of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), large injections of horseradish peroxidase were made in various parts of the neocortex. These injections were placed in different animals and hemispheres along various caudo-rostral and mediolateral gradients. Labelled cells in the thalamus were plotted and the labelling-zones resulting from several injections along a medio-lateral and two caudo-rostral cortical vectors were drawn into semi-schematic thalamic maps. These composite maps reveal a topological organization of the whole thalamo-cortical projection. The thalamic representation of the caudo-rostral and mediolateral gradients indicate a rotation of the posterior relative to the anterior thalamus. An attempt is made to relate the organization of the thalamo-cortical projection to the development of the thalamus and the cortex. The cortex is divided into concentric zones around the sensory-motor and insular cortex. The thalamus is divided into corresponding projection zones. The topology of thalamo-cortical connections can then be regarded as a consequence of corresponding thalamic and cortical growth gradients. This is not only consistent with the general thalamo-cortical topology and the inversion of maps from thalamus to cortex, but also explains the continuity and overlap of thalamic projection zones in the pulvinar to widely separated cortical areas as the parietal, temporal and frontal association cortex.Abbreviations AD Nucleus anterior dorsalis thalami - AM Nucleus anterior medialis thalami - AV Nucleus anterior ventralis thalami - CeD Nucleus centralis dorsalis thalami - CeL Nucleus centralis lateralis thalami - CeM Nucleus centralis medialis thalami - CeMe Centre median - GLD Corpus geniculaturn laterale dorsale - GLV Corpus geniculatum laterale ventrale - GM Corpus geniculatum mediale - LD Nucleus lateralis dorsalis thalami - Li Nucleus limitans thalami - LP Nucleus lateralis posterior thalami - MD Nucleus medialis dorsalis thalami - Pf Nucleus parafascicularis thalami - PvT Nucleus paraventricularis thalami - Pul Pulvinar inferior - PuIP Pulvinar inferior posterior - PuL Pulvinar lateralis - PuM Pulvinar medialis - PuO Pulvinar oralis - Re Nucleus Reuniens - Sg Nucleus suprageniculatus - VA Nucleus ventralis anterior - VAMg Nucleus ventralis anterior magnocellularis - VL Nucleus ventralis lateralis - VP Nucleus ventralis posterior - VPL Nucleus ventralis posterior lateralis - VPM Nucleus ventralis posterior medialis     

The distribution of zinc in the forebrain and midbrain of the lizard Gekko gecko

Summary The distribution of zinc in the forebrain and midbrain of the lizard Gekko gecko was studied with the recently modified Timm method. Areas with a high intensity of staining are almost exclusively found in the telencephalon, although also some structures in the diencephalon display notable staining. Cortical areas that stain heavily are the deep zone of the subcortical layer of the small-celled medial cortex, the longitudinal association bundle that encompasses the large-celled medial cortex, and the dorsal cortex. Of the subcortical areas, particularly the anterior septal nucleus shows a high intensity of staining. Moderate to dense Timm staining is further observed in the ventral part of the anterior lateral cortex, the lateral septal nucleus, the striatum, the amygdaloid complex, and the dorsal ventricular ridge. Staining in the diencephalon is primarily confined to the stria terminalis and the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, whereas in the midbrain weak staining is observed in the ventral tegmental area and the periventricular layers of the tectum and the tegmentum. The presence of zinc in the gekkonid brain is discussed in relation to connections and neurotransmitters as studied in the same species. Moreover, similarities in pattern of staining for zinc in mammals and reptiles and possible evolutionary implications are mentioned.Abbreviations Acc nucleus accumbens - Alh area lateralis hypothalami - Amc nucleus centralis amygdalae - Ame nucleus externus amygdalae - Aml nucleus lateralis amygdalae - Anm nucleus marginalis amygdalae - Bmfb bed nucleus of the medial forebrain bundle - Cgld corpus geniculatum laterale pars dorsalis - Cglv corpus geniculatum laterale, pars ventralis - Cgp corpus geniculatum pretectale - cpa commissura pallii anterior - cso commissura supraoptica - Cxd cortex dorsalis - Cxla cortex lateralis, pars anterior - Cxlp cortex lateralis, pars posterior - Cxml cortex medialis, large-celled part - Cxms cortex medialis, small-celled part - Dlh nucleus dorsolateralis hypothalami - Dll nucleus dorsolateralis thalami, large-celled part - Dls nucleus dorsolateralis thalami, small-celled part - Dm nucleus dorsomedialis thalami - DVR dorsal ventricular ridge - Ent nucleus entopeduncularis - Hab ganglion habenulae - lfb lateral forebrain bundle - lfbv lateral forebrain bundle, ventral peduncle - Lte nucleus lentiformis thalami, pars extensa - Ltp nucleus lentiformis thalami, pars plicata - Mp nucleus medialis posterior - Mt nucleus medialis thalami - NdB nucleus of the diagonal band of Broca - Nsa nucleus septalis anterior - Nsd nucleus septalis dorsalis - Nsl nucleus septalis lateralis - Nsm nucleus septalis medialis - Nsph nucleus sphericus - oph organon periventriculare hypothalami - Ph nucleus periventricularis hypothalami - Ppo periventricular preoptic area - Rot nucleus rotundus - Rub nucleus ruber - Sped nucleus suprapeduncularis - st stria terminalis - Str striatum - tect tectum - topt tractus opticus - Torc nucleus centralis of the torus semicircularis - Torl nucleus laminaris of the torus semicircularis - tsh tractus septohypothalamicus - Vltv nucleus ventrolateralis thalami, pars ventralis - Vmh nucleus ventromedialis hypothalami - Vmt nucleus ventromedialis thalami - VTA ventral tegmental area - III nucleus nervi oculomotorii     

Diencephalic connections of the superior colliculus in the hedgehog tenrec

Using different tracer substances the pathways connecting the superior colliculus with the diencephalon were studied in the Madagascan hedgehog tenrec (Echinops telfairi), a nocturnal insectivore with tiny eyes, a small and little differentiated superior colliculus and a visual cortex with no obvious fourth granular layer. The most prominent tecto-thalamic projection terminated in the ipsilateral dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. The entire region receiving contralateral retinal afferents was labeled with variable density. In addition, there was a widespread, homogeneously distributed collicular input to the lateralis posterior-pulvinar complex and a distinct tectal projection to the suprageniculate nucleus. The latter projections were bilateral with a clear ipsilateral predominance. Among the intra- and paralaminar nuclei the centralis lateralis complex was most heavily labeled on both sides, followed by the nucleus centralis medialis. The paralamellar portion of the nucleus medialis dorsalis and the nucleus parafascicularis received sparse projections. A clear projection to the nucleus ventralis medialis could not be demonstrated but its presence was not entirely excluded either. There were also projections to medial thalamic nuclei, particularly the reuniens complex and the nucleus paraventricularis thalami. The main tecto-subthalamic target regions were the zona incerta, the dorsal hypothalamus and distinct subdivisons of the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus. These regions also gave rise to projections to the superior colliculus, as did the intergeniculate leaflet. The pathways oriented toward the visual or frontal cortex and the projections possibly involved in limbic and circadian mechanisms were compared with the connectivity patterns reported in mammals with more differentiated brains. Particular attention was given to the tenrec's prominent tecto-geniculate projection, the presumed W- or K-pathway directed toward the supragranular layers.     

Corticothalamic connections of the superior temporal sulcus in rhesus monkeys

Summary The corticothalamic connections of the superior temporal sulcus (STS) were studied by means of the autoradiographic technique. The results indicate that corticothalamic connections of the STS in general reciprocate thalamocortical connections. The cortex of the upper bank of the STS-multimodal areas TPO and PGa-projects to four major thalamic targets: the pulvinar complex, the mediodorsal nucleus, the limitanssuprageniculate nucleus, as well as intralaminar nuclei. Within the pulvinar complex, the main projections of the upper bank of the STS are directed to the medial pulvinar (PM) nucleus. Rostral upper bank regions tend to project caudally and medially within the PM nucleus, caudal upper bank regions, more laterally and ventrally. The mid-portion of the upper bank tends to occupy the central sector of the PM nucleus. There are also relatively minor projections from upper bank regions to the lateral pulvinar (PL) and oral pulvinar (PO) nuclei. In contrast to the upper bank, the projections from the lower bank are directed primarily to the pulvinar complex, with only minor projections to intralaminar nuclei. The rostral portion of the lower bank projects mainly to caudal and medial regions of the PM nucleus, whereas the caudal lower bank projects predominantly to the lateral PM nucleus, and also to the PL, PO, and inferior pulvinar (PI) nuclei. The mid-portion of the lower bank projects mainly to central and lateral portions of the PM nucleus, and also to the PI and PL nuclei. The rostral depth of the STS projects mainly to the PM nucleus, with only minor connections to the PO, PI, and PL nuclei. The midportion of multimodal area TPO of the upper bank, areas TPO₂ and TPO₃, projects preferentially to the central sector of the PM nucleus. It is possible that this STS-thalamic connectivity has a role in behavior that is dependent upon more than one sensory modality.Abbreviations AM anterior medial nucleus - AS arcuate sulcus - AV anterior ventral nucleus - BSC brachium of the superior colliculus - Cd caudate nucleus - Cif nucleus centralis inferior - Cim nucleus centralis intermedialis - CL central lateral nucleus - CM centromedian nucleus - CM-Pf centromedian-parafascicular nucleus - Cs nucleus centralis superior - CS central sulcus - CSL nucleus centralis lateralis superior - GLd dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus - GM medial geniculate nucleus - Hb habenula - IOS inferior occipital sulcus - IPS intraparietal sulcus - LD lateral dorsal nucleus - LF lateral fissure - Li limitans nucleus - LP lateral posterior nucleus - LS lunate sulcus - MD mediodorsal nucleus - Pa paraventricular nucleus - Pen paracentral nucleus - Pf parafascicular nucleus - PI inferior pulvinar nucleus - PL lateral pulvinar nucleus - PM medial pulvinar nucleus - PO oral pulvinar nucleus - PS principal sulcus - Pt parataenial nucleus - R reticular nucleus - Re reuniens nucleus - SG suprageniculate nucleus - STN subthalamic nucleus - STS superior temporal sulcus - THI habenulo-interpeduncular tract - VLc nucleus ventralis lateralis, pars caudalis - VLm nucleus ventralis lateralis, pars medialis - VLo nucleus ventralis lateralis, pars oralis - VLps nucleus ventralis lateralis, pars postrema - VPI ventroposteroinferior nucleus - VPLc nucleus ventralis posterior lateralis, pars caudalis - VPLo nucleus ventralis posterior lateralis, pars oralis - VPM ventroposteromedial nucleus - VPMpc ventroposteromedial nucleus, parvocellular portion - X nucleus X     

Thalamic projections to the posterior sylvian and posterior ectosylvian gyri of the sheep brain, revealed with the retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase

Summary The auditory area of the sheep cerebral cortex was studied on the basis of its afferents from the medial geniculate nucleus, traced with the horseradish peroxidase retrograde transport method. The results show that the medial geniculate nucleus projects only to the anterior parts of the posterior ectosylvian gyrus and the posterior sylvian gyrus. A small area of the posterior ectosylvian gyrus receives afferents exclusively from the ventral part of the medial geniculate nucleus, while the anterior part of the posterior sylvian gyrus receives also afferents from the posterior nucleus of the thalamus and the pulvinar. In addition, it was found that the medial part of the medial geniculate nucleus projects in a sparse way to the auditory cortex. The middle part of the posterior ectosylvian gyrus receives afferents from the posterior nucleus of the thalamus, the suprageniculate nucleus and the pulvinar, while the posterior part of the posterior ectosylvian gyrus together with the posteriormost part of the posterior sylvian gyrus receive afferents from the pulvinar. Finally, the area located between the anterior and the posteriormost part of the posterior sylvian gyrus receives afferents from both the posterior nucleus of the thalamus and the pulvinar.Abbreviations Ad nucleus anterior dorsalis - Am nucleus anterior medialis - Av nucleus anterior ventralis - BCI nucleus of the brachium colliculi inferioris - bci brachium colliculi inferioris - Cg substantia grisea centralis - ci capsula interna - Cm nucleus centralis medialis - EC sulcus ectomarginalis - EN sulcus entomarginalis - Ep epiphysis - ES sulcus ectosylvius - fd columna fornicis descendens - FS fissura sylvia - Hl nucleus habenularis lateralis - Hm nucleus habenularis medialis - Iv nucleus interventralis - Ld nucleus lateralis dorsalis - LGN nucleus geniculatus lateralis - LGNd nucleus geniculatus lateralis, pars dorsalis - LGNv nucleus geniculatus lateralis, pars ventralis - lme lamina medullaris thalami externa - Lp nucleus lateralis posterior - Lt nucleus lateralis thalami - MA sulcus marginalis - Md nucleus medialis dorsalis - MGN nucleus geniculatus medialis - MGNd nucleus geniculatus medialis, pars dorsalis - MGNm nucleus geniculatus medialis, pars magnocellularis - MGNv nucleus geniculatus medialis, pars ventralis - MIN medial interlaminar nucleus - mt fasciculus mamillothalamicus - ml lemniscus medialis - Mv nucleus medialis ventralis - ot tractus opticus - p putamen - pc pedunculus cerebri - Pl nucleus paralemniscalis - Po nucleus posterior - Pp nucleus paraventricularis posterior - Pta nucleus praetectalis anterior - Ptp nucleus praetectalis posterior - Pul pulvinar - R nucleus ruber - rf fasciculus retroflexus - Rh nucleus rhomboidalis - RH sulcus rhinalis lateralis - Rt nucleus reticularis thalami - Sg nucleus suprageniculatus - SN substantia nigra - SP sulcus cinguli - SS sulcus suprasylvius - Sth nucleus subthalamicus - Va nucleus ventralis anterior - Vl ventrolateral nuclear complex - Vll pars lateralis of the ventrolateral nuclear complex - Vm nucleus ventralis medialis - Vp nucleus ventralis posterior - Vpl nucleus ventralis posterior, pars lateralis - Vpm nucleus ventralis posterior, pars medialis - W Wernicke's field     

Gamma-aminobutyrate-like immunoreactivity in the thalamus of the cat

Serial sections of the cat's thalamus were incubated with a purified antiserum raised against gamma-aminobutyric acid conjugated to bovine serum albumin by distilled glutaraldehyde. This serum has been extensively characterized and appears to react selectively with fixed gamma-aminobutyric acid in brain tissue treated with glutaraldehyde. Adjoining sections were stained with thionin and served as invaluable guides for a correct evaluation of the immunolabelling pattern. In the neuropil the intensity of the immunostaining varies considerably between thalamic nuclei and even between nuclear subdivisions. The neuropil staining appears particularly dense in the nuclei parataenialis, periventricularis, centralis medialis, reuniens, rhomboideus, habenularis lateralis, centrum medianum, parafascicularis, subparafascicularis, submedius, dorsal and ventral parts of the lateral geniculate body, the dorsal part of the medial geniculate body, the posterior complex, suprageniculate nucleus, pulvinar and parts of the lateral posterior nucleus. The pulvinar/lateralis posterior complex shows a particularly well-differentiated staining pattern which closely matches Updyke's [Updyke (1983) J. comp. Neurol. 219, 143-181] parcellation of this region. In several thalamic nuclei or subareas--and notably in those relay nuclei which are known to project upon non-primary sensory cortical areas--the immunostained neuropil is characterized by many puncta encircling an unstained profile. With few exceptions all thalamic nuclei displayed immunoreactive nerve cell bodies. Several examples were found of a mismatch between the number of such cells and the staining intensity of the neuropil. Thus the nuclei periventricularis, parafascicularis, subparafascicularis, parataenialis, limitans and centrum medianum although being very rich in neuropil staining have practically no immunostained perikarya. Rough estimates were made of the size and the proportion of gamma-aminobutyric acid labelled neurons in all major--and some minor--thalamic nuclei and their subdivisions. In some thalamic nuclei, notably the nuclei reticularis, anterior dorsalis, lateralis dorsalis, centralis lateralis, ventralis posterior and the dorsal lateral geniculate body, the population of immunoreactive neurons is distinctly heterogeneous with regard to soma size. The findings are discussed with regard to previous immunocytochemical studies of the distribution of gamma-aminobutyric acid and its synthesizing enzyme in the thalamus. Particular emphasis is put on the great species differences which appear to exist in this respect.