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H J Ten Donkelaar

Publications and source records attributed to H J Ten Donkelaar.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Descending supraspinal pathways in amphibians. I. A dextran amine tracing study of their cells of origin.

The present study is the first of a series on descending supraspinal pathways in amphibians in which hodologic and developmental aspects are studied. Representative species of anurans (the green frog, Rana perezi, and the clawed toad, Xenopus laevis), urodeles (the Iberian ribbed newt, Pleurodeles waltl), and gymnophionans (the Mexican caecilian, Dermophis mexicanus) have been used. By means of retrograde tracing with dextran amines, previous data in anurans were largely confirmed and extended, but the studies in P. waltl and D. mexicanus present the first detailed data on descending pathways to the spinal cord in urodeles and gymnophionans. In all three orders, extensive brainstem-spinal pathways were present with only minor representation of spinal projections originating in forebrain regions. In the rhombencephalon, spinal projections arise from the reticular formation, several parts of the octavolateral area, the locus coeruleus, the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, the raphe nucleus, sensory nuclei (trigeminal sensory nuclei and the dorsal column nucleus), and the nucleus of the solitary tract. In all species studied, the cerebellar nucleus and scattered cerebellar cells innervate the spinal cord, predominantly contralaterally. Mesencephalic projections include modest tectospinal projections, torospinal projections, and extensive tegmentospinal projections. The tegmentospinal projections include projections from the nucleus of Edinger-Westphal, the red nucleus, and from anterodorsal, anteroventral, and posteroventral tegmental nuclei. In the forebrain, diencephalospinal projections originate in the ventral thalamus, posterior tubercle, the pretectal region, and the interstitial nucleus of the fasciculus longitudinalis medialis. The most rostrally located cells of origin of descending spinal pathways were found in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the preoptic area and a subpallial region in the caudal telencephalic hemisphere, probably belonging to the amygdaloid complex. Our data are discussed in an evolutionary perspective.

Amphibians↗
PubMed2001

Descending supraspinal pathways in amphibians. II. Distribution and origin of the catecholaminergic innervation of the spinal cord.

Immunohistochemical studies with antibodies against tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine, and noradrenaline have revealed that the spinal cord of anuran, urodele, and gymnophionan (apodan) amphibians is abundantly innervated by catecholaminergic (CA) fibers and terminals. Because intraspinal cells occur in all three orders of amphibians CA, it is unclear to what extent the CA innervation of the spinal cord is of supraspinal origin. In a previous study, we showed that many cell groups throughout the forebrain and brainstem project to the spinal cord of two anurans (the green frog, Rana perezi, and the clawed toad, Xenopus laevis), a urodele (the Iberian ribbed newt, Pleurodeles waltl), and a gymnophionan (the Mexican caecilian, Dermophis mexicanus). To determine the exact site of origin of the supraspinal CA innervation of the amphibian spinal cord, retrograde tracing techniques were combined with immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase in the same sections. The double-labeling experiments demonstrated that four brain centers provide CA innervation to the amphibian spinal cord: 1.) the ventrolateral component of the posterior tubercle in the mammillary region, 2.) the periventricular nucleus of the zona incerta in the ventral thalamus, 3.) the locus coeruleus, and 4.) the nucleus of the solitary tract. This pattern holds for all three orders of amphibians, except for the CA projection from the nucleus of the solitary tract in gymnophionans. There are differences in the strength of the projections (based on the number of double-labeled cells), but in general, spinal functions in amphibians are controlled by CA innervation from brain centers that can easily be compared with their counterparts in amniotes. The organization of the CA input to the spinal cord of amphibians is largely similar to that described for mammals. Nevertheless, by using a segmental approach of the CNS, a remarkable difference was observed with respect to the diencephalic CA projections.

Amphibians↗
PubMed1999

3-Nitropropionic acid induces a spectrum of Huntington's disease-like neuropathology in rat striatum.

Systemic administration of the mitochondrial toxin 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) to rats results in selective striatal lesions and serves as an experimental model of Huntington's disease (HD). However, the effects of the 3-NP treatment are unpredictable and result in lesions of variable severity. The present study was aimed at further characterizing the variability of the striatal lesions induced by systemic administration of 3-NP using osmotic pumps. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Nissl stains as well as immunohistochemical labelling of astrocytes and striatal neurones were performed to analyse the neurotoxic effects of 3-NP. In general, chronic systemic administration of 3-NP resulted in obvious bilateral striatal lesions, which ranged from mild to severe, together with a subtle, but detectable behavioural lesion. Severe type lesions showed marked neuronal loss and an increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in astrocytes surrounding the lesion area, whereas in the core of the lesion GFAP-immunoreactivity was absent. The mild type lesion was characterized by a substantial loss of striatal neurones and an increased expression of GFAP-positive astrocytes throughout the lesion. In a number of 3-NP-treated animals, neither type of lesion was observed, although these animals demonstrated behavioural changes in the paw test compared to controls. In the striatum of these tested 3-NP-treated animals, compromised rk' neurones were detected, suggestive of subtle and early 3-NP-induced neuronal injury. Similar dark neurones were also detected in mild and severe lesions and were immunocytochemically characterized as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and substance P containing spiny neurones, which belong to the neuronal population that is affected in early HD. These results indicate that systemic administration of 3-NP to rats may result in a spectrum of striatal pathology of which the morphology of the mild type lesion resembles the characteristic HD neuropathology most closely.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Anuran dorsal column nucleus: organization, immunohistochemical characterization, and fiber connections in Rana perezi and Xenopus laevis.

As part of a research program on the evolution of somatosensory systems in vertebrates, the dorsal column nucleus (DCN) was studied with (immuno)histochemical and tract-tracing techniques in anurans (the large green frog, Rana perezi, and the clawed toad, Xenopus laevis). The anuran DCN contains some nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase-positive neurons, very little calbindin D-28k, and a distinct parvalbumin-positive cell population. The anuran DCN is innervated by primary and non-primary spinal afferents, by primary afferents from cranial nerves V, VII, IX, and X, by serotonin-immunoreactive fibers, and by peptidergic fibers. Non-primary DCN afferents from the spinal cord appear to arise throughout the spinal cord, but particularly from the ipsilateral dorsal gray. The present study focused on the efferent connections of the DCN, in particular the targets of the medial lemniscus. The medial lemniscus could be traced throughout the brainstem and into the diencephalon. Along its course, the medial lemniscus gives off collaterals to various parts of the reticular formation, to the octavolateral area, and to the granular layer of the cerebellum. At mesencephalic levels, the medial lemniscus innervates the lateral part of the torus semicircularis as well as various tegmental nuclei. A striking difference between the two species studied is that while in R. perezi medial lemniscal fibers do not reach the tectum mesencephali, in X. laevis, intermediate and deep tectal layers are innervated. Beyond the midbrain, both dorsal and ventral thalamic areas are innervated by the medial lemniscus. The present study shows that the anuran "lemniscal pathway" is basically similar to that of amniotes.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Involvement of retinohypothalamic input, suprachiasmatic nucleus, magnocellular nucleus and locus coeruleus in control of melanotrope cells of Xenopus laevis: a retrograde and anterograde tracing study.

The amphibian Xenopus laevis is able to adapt the colour of its skin to the light intensity of the background, by releasing alpha-melanophore-stimulating hormone from the pars intermedia of the hypophysis. In this control various inhibitory (dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, neuropeptide Y, noradrenaline) and stimulatory (thyrotropin-releasing hormone and corticotropin-releasing hormone) neural factors are involved. Dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid and neuropeptide Y are present in suprachiasmatic neurons and co-exist in synaptic contacts on the melanotrope cells in the pars intermedia, whereas noradrenaline occurs in the locus coeruleus and noradrenaline-containing fibres innervate the pars intermedia. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone and corticotropin-releasing hormone occur in axon terminals in the pars nervosa. In the present study, the neuronal origins of these factors have been identified using axonal tract tracing. Application of the tracers 1,1'dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3' tetramethyl indocarbocyanine and horseradish peroxidase into the pars intermedia resulted in labelled neurons in two brain areas, which were immunocytochemically identified as the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the locus coeruleus, indicating that these areas are involved in neural inhibition of the melanotrope cells. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone and corticotropin-releasing hormone were demonstrated immunocytochemically in the magnocellular nucleus. This area appeared to be labelled upon tracer application into the pars nervosa. This finding is in line with the idea that corticotropin-releasing hormone and thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulate melanotrope cell activity after diffusion from the neural lobe to the pars intermedia. After anterograde filling of the optic nerve with horseradish peroxidase, labelled axons were traced up to the suprachiasmatic area where they showed to be in contact with suprachiasmatic neurons. These neurons showed a positive reaction with anti-neuropeptide Y and the same held for staining with anti-tyrosine hydroxylase. It is suggested that a retino-suprachiasmatic pathway is involved in the control of the melanotrope cells during the process of background adaptation.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1985

Morphology of primary afferents to the spinal cord of the turtle Pseudemys scripta elegans.

The morphology of primary afferents to the spinal cord of the turtle Pseudemys scripta elegans was studied by means of intra-axonal injections of horseradish peroxidase. A total of 74 collaterals arising from 34 different afferents in 22 animals was investigated. Within this sample, a division into three morphologically distinct collateral types appeared possible. Collaterals of the same parent axon could always be classified to the same type. Type A collateral arborizations could be found within area I-II and III of the spinal grey matter. The number of presynaptic boutons per collateral varied considerably. However, collaterals of the same parent axon usually possessed a similar general appearance. Type B collaterals terminated within area IV and V-VI. The general shape and number of boutons could differ considerably between collaterals of different parent fibers but also between collaterals of the same axon. Type C collaterals formed terminal arborizations in the lateral parts of areas IV, V, VI and VII-VIII and demonstrated a fair constancy in general appearance and number of presynaptic boutons. Type A collaterals are thought to be derived from fibers innervating various cutaneous receptors. Terminal arborizations of type C collaterals are fully overlapping with the dorsal dendritic trees of turtle lumbar motoneurons. It is suggested that type C collaterals form contacts with these motoneurons and arise from muscle spindle innervating afferents. The origin of type B collaterals is less clear, attractive possibilities may be found in joint and/or tendon organs.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1983

A crossed rubrobulbar projection in the snake Python regius.

In the present study a distinct crossed rubrobulbar projection has been demonstrated in the snake Python regius, a limbless vertebrate which lacks a rubrospinal tract. This rubrobulbar projection is presumably involved in the neural control of mastication. The red nucleus may relay cerebellar influence to the trigeminal and facial nuclei.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Some afferent and efferent connections of the vestibular nuclear complex in the red-eared turtle Pseudemys scripta elegans.

In the present study some afferent, commissural, and efferent connections of the vestibular nuclear complex in the turtle Pseudemys scripta elegans were demonstrated with the HRP tracing technique. Afferent projections to the vestibular nuclei were found to arise in the nucleus of the basal optic root, the interstitial nucleus of the fasciculus longitudinalis medialis, the medial and lateral cerebellar nuclei, the perihypoglossal nuclear complex, and the reticular formation. Distinct commissural projections appeared to arise in the dorsolateral, ventromedial, and descending vestibular nuclei. The commissural projection arising in the ventrolateral vestibular nucleus appeared to be only sparsely developed. Both ascending and descending efferent projections were demonstrated to arise from the vestibular nuclear complex. The ascending vestibulo-oculomotor projection was found to be organized in an ipsilateral pathway arising in the dorsolateral vestibular nucleus and in a contralateral pathway, arising mainly in the medial vestibular nucleus. These projections appeared to be directed to the interstitial nucleus of the fasciculus longitudinalis medialis, the oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nuclei. Also the perihypoglossal nuclear complex appeared to be an important target of vestibular efferents. The origin and course in the brainstem of the descending vestibular projections, i.e., the lateral and medial vestibulospinal tracts, as demonstrated in previous anatomical and experimental studies in reptiles, were confirmed. However, in addition a direct projection of the vestibulospinal tracts to presumably neck motoneurons was found. THe organization of the vestibular connections observed in the turtle Pseudemys scripta elegans appeared to be basically comparable to the organization of the vestibular connections in birds and mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Ascending projections of the brain stem reticular formation in a nonmammalian vertebrate (the lizard Varanus exanthematicus), with notes on the afferent connections of the forebrain.

In the present study an attempt has been made to analyze the ascending reticular projections in the lizard Varanus exanthematicus by means of the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) technique. Reticular projections ascending to the telencephalon were found to arise in the mesencephalon, but not caudal to the mesorhombencephalic border. HRP injections into the dorsal thalamus have demonstrated retrogradely labeled cells in the mesencephalic reticular formation, particularly at the level of the oculomotor nerve and in the medial magnocellular zone of the rhombencephalic reticular formation, predominantly rostrally. HRP infiltrations at the mesodiencephalic border damaged most of the fibers passing beyond this junction, resulting in the uptake of HRP by the damaged axons and subsequent labeling of the cell bodies or origin of ascending reticular projections to the diencephalon and telencephalon. From a comparison of cell-labeling patterns in cases of HRP injections of, respectively, the dorsal thalamus and the mesodiencephalic border, it seems likely that the nucleus reticularis medius and more sparsely the nucleus reticularis inferior project to ventral diencephalic structures (ventral thalamus and hypothalamus), whereas the midbrain reticular formation and the rostral parts of the rhombencephalic reticular formation (nuclei reticulares isthmi and superior) project to both the dorsal thalamus and more ventral diencephalic structures. Projections arising throughout the rhombencephalic reticular formation, but predominantly in the nucleus reticularis inferior, were found to ascend to the midbrain reticular formation. The present experimental data in the lizard Varanus exanthematicus are comparable to the findings in mammals, with the exception of the reticulo-oculomotor pathways which have not been analyzed so far in reptiles. In addition to the aforementioned ascending reticular projections, the present study has demonstrated projections ascending from monoamine cell groups, various diencephalic structures, as well as from neuronal groups involved in somatosensory, auditory, and gustatory systems. Projections were found from the locus coeruleus and the nucleus raphes superior to the telencephalon, as well as from the substantia nigra and the presumable reptilian homologue of the mammalian ventral tegmental area to the basal forebrain and the dorsal thalamus. Bilateral projections were demonstrated from the principal trigeminal nucleus to the telencephalon, reminiscent of the quintofrontal tract of birds. Ascending projections to the diencephalon were found to originate bilaterally in the descending trigeminal nucleus and the dorsal funicular nucleus. Auditory projections to the midbrain arise bilaterally in the superior olivary complex and in the cochlear nuclear complex. Finally, the ascending gustatory pathway arising in the nucleus of the solitary tract was found to project to the "parabrachial region," which in its turn has extensive projections to the forebrain.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1976

Descending pathways from the brain stem to the spinal cord in some reptiles. I. Origin.

In the present study of the origin of the pathways descending from the brain stem to the spinal cord has been investigated in the reptiles Testudo hermanni, Pseudemys scripta elegans, Tupinambis nigropunctatus and Python reticulatus. These reptiles, using highly different types of progression, have been selected, because fundamental variations in the organization of the central motor apparatus are to be expected. The origin of the descending pathways has been demonstrated by recording the occurrence of retrograde cell changes following hemicordotomies and by searching for labeled cells following injection into the spinal cord of the enzyme horseradish peroxidase. In the reptiles studies the presence of interstitiospinal, vestibulospinal and reticulospinal pathways could be demonstrated. A crossed rubrospinal tract has been shown in the turtles and in the lizard, but could not be demonstrated in the Python. The presence of a direct tectospinal pathway could not be shown.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Descending pathways from the brain stem to the spinal cord in some reptiles. II. Course and site of termination.

The course and termination of the pathways descending from the brain stem to the spinal cord have been studied by tracing the ensuing anterograde fiber degeneration, following appropriate lesions in the reptiles Testudo hermanni, Tupinambis nigropunctatus and Python reticulatus. In these reptiles the presence of interstitiospinal, vestibulospinal and reticulospinal pathways has been demonstrated. A crossed rubrospinal tract has been shown in the turtle and lizard, but could not be demonstrated in the Python. The presence of a tectospinal pathway of any importance could not be shown. However, the tectum mesencephali has been found to project profusely to the brain stem reticular formation. The interstitiospinal tract projects predominantly to the ipsilateral side of the spinal cord. The vestibulospinal projection, arising from the large-celled nucleus vestibularis ventrolateralis, comprises a large uncrossed and a small decussating component. The rubrospinal pathway terminates in a particular area of the spinal gray, i.e., the intermediate zone, whereas the interstitiospainal, reticulospinal and vestibulospinal tracts all terminate in the medial part of the ventral horn. It appeared that the classification of descending pathways as advocated in mammals by Kuypers ('64) into lateral and medial systems can be readily applied to reptiles. The lateral system terminates in the dorsal and lateral parts of the intermediate zone, the medial system predominantely in the dorsomedial part of the ventral horn. This classification renders it likely that the absence of a lateral focus of termination as well as the absence of a rubrospinal tract in the Python, is correlated to the absence of limbs. A comparison of experimental data concerning the systems descending from the brain stem to the spinal cord in amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals suggests that these systems with regard to origin, course and termination have a basic pattern in common.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cell loss in the nucleus raphes dorsalis in Alzheimer's disease.

Marked neuron loss in the predominantly serotonergic nucleus raphes dorsalis (NRd) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has repeatedly been reported in the literature. However, most of these studies quantitated only part of the NRd and data were expressed as numerical density. Applying a 3-dimensional sampling scheme throughout the entire rostrocaudal extent of the NRd and sampling neurons regardless of their size and staining characteristics, an overall neuron loss of 39.4% was demonstrated and a tendency for cell shrinkage was likely to be present. No rostrocaudal gradient in neuron loss could be shown. These NRd data are in accordance with neuron loss in other subcortical structures in AD.

Aged↗