Spatial distribution of cingulate cortical cells projecting to the primary motor cortex in the rat

We examined the location and spatial distribution of cingulate cortical cells projecting to the primary motor cortex (M1) in rats, using a double retrograde-labeling technique. The orofacial, forelimb, and hindlimb areas of M1 were physiologically identified based on the findings of intracortical microstimulation and single cell recording. Two different tracers, diamidino yellow and fast blue, were injected into two sites of M1 in each rat. Retrograde-labeled cells in the cingulate cortex were plotted with an automated plotting system. Cells projecting to the orofacial and forelimb areas of M1 were distributed in the anterior cingulate cortex (area 24) but not in the posterior cingulate cortex (retrosplenial cortex; area 29), according to topographical mapping. On the other hand, few or no cells of the cingulate cortex were observed projecting to the hindlimb area of M1. These findings suggest that the cingulate cortex projecting to the M1 in the rat are involved in the regulation of motor activity that involves the orofacial and forelimb, but not hindlimb, parts of the body.