PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S S Kaitz

Publications and source records attributed to S S Kaitz.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Projections from the pretectal complex to the thalamic lateral dorsal nucleus of the cat.

The subcortical projections to the lateral dorsal nucleus (LD) of the cat thalamus were studied with retrograde transport techniques. Deposits of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or fluorescent tracers were placed unilaterally in LD of adult cats, using electrophoretic or pressure injection techniques. Following post-injection survival periods of 1, 2 or 3 days, HRP retrogradely labeled cells were identified in sections reacted with benzidine dihydrochloride; fluorescent labeled cells were identified by fluorescent microscopy. Injections in LD result in retrogradely labeled neurons in all nuclei of the pretectal complex, including the nucleus of the optic tract (NTO), the posterior pretectal nucleus (NPP), the anterior pretectal nucleus (NPA), the pretectal olivary nucleus (NOL), and the medial pretectal nucleus (NPM). Small electrophoretic injections of HRP were used to investigate a possible topographic organization of the pretectal projections. Results from a variety of injection sites indicate only a subtle rostral-caudal gradient. That is, small injection sites in rostral LD result in retrograde labeling of neuron somata in the rostral parts of NTO, NPA and NPP, and throughout NPM. Injections in caudal LD result in labeled cells more caudally situated in NTO, NPA, NPP, and throughout NPM. Injections in the pulvinar (Pul) also result in retrogradely labeled cells in the pretectal complex, particularly NTO, NPP, and NOL. Experiments with injections of distinguishable fluorescent tracers in LD and Pul reveal that many more cells project to Pul than to LD. These experiments also reveal that while neurons that project to LD are intermingled with neurons that project to Pul, the two projections originate from separate subpopulations of cells. These results are discussed in regard to phylogenetic comparison of pretectal projections and subcortical pathways of sensory input to the limbic system.

Afferent Pathways↗

Thalamic connections with limbic cortex. I. Thalamocortical projections.

The thalamocortical projections to limbic cortex in the cat have been studied with retrograde and anterograde axonal transport techniques. Five limbic cortical areas were identified on the basis of cytoarchitecture. The five areas are the anterior limbic area, the cingular area, the dorsal and ventral retrosplenial areas, and the presubiculum. Each of these cortical areas received small injections of horseradish peroxidase, and the afferent thalamic nuclei were identified by retrograde labelling of cells. The cortical projection of each of the anterior thalamic nuclei and the lateral dorsal nucleus was determined autoradiographically. Each of the anterior thalamic nuclei and the lateral dorsal nucleus projects to limbic cortex by two pathways. One group of fibers leaves the rostral thalamus by the fornix, pierces the corpus callosum, joins the cingulate fasciculus to reach limbic cortex. The other group travels through the lateral thalamic peduncle and internal capsule. The anterior ventral nucleus projects primarily to the dorsal retrosplenial area, particularly to layer I, the deep portion of layer II, and superficial portion of layer III. Sparse projections also exist to the ventral retrosplenial area, the cingular area, and the presubiculum. Very sparse projections to the anterior limbic area are seen. The anterior dorsal nucleus projects primarily to the ventral retrosplenial area, particularly layers I, the deep portion of layer II, and superficial layer III. sparse projections exist to the dorsal retrosplenial area and presubiculum, but apparently no projections exist to the cingular or anterior limbic area. The anterior medial nucleus projects primarily to layers I and superficial III of the ventral retrosplenial area. sparse projections exist to each of the other limbic cortical areas. The lateral dorsal nucleus projects extensively onto limbic cortex. Prominent projections occur to layer I, the external granular layer and lamina dessicans of the presubiculum, layers I and III-IV of the dorsal retrosplenial area, and layers I, III, and IV of the cingular area. Sparse projections occur to the ventral retrosplenial area and the anterior limbic areas. Thalamocortical projections also originate in the midline and intralaminar nuclei including the central medial, reuniens, rhomboid, paracentral, central lateral, and central dorsal nuclei. These data indicate that the anterior thalamic nuclei project upon limbic cortex in a complex manner. Further, the projections to limbic cortex from the anterior nuclei overlap with projections from the lateral dorsal nucleus. This overlap of thalamic projections onto limbic cortex suggests a convergence of information from nonprimary sensory systems with information from the classical limbic system.

Animals↗

Thalamic connections with limbic cortex. II. Corticothalamic projections.

The corticothalamic projections from the cat limbic cortex have been investigated with anterograde and retrograde axonal transport techniques. Five limbic cortical areas-the anterior limbic area, the cingular area, the granular and dysgranular retrosplenial areas, and the presubiculum-were identified on the basis of their cytoarchitecture. Emphasis was placed on determining the laminar distribution of the cells of origin of the efferent projections, the projection pathways, and the sites of termination within the thalamus. Projections to the thalamus originate in layers V and VI of limbic cortex. In the cingular region the cells of origin are predominantly in layer V and to a lesser extent in layer VI, while the majority of cells projecting from the more caudal retrosplenial areas and presubiculum are in layer VI. There are two fiber pathways from each cortical area to the thalamus. One system of fibers passes through the internal capsule and lateral thalamic peduncle, and a second system travels in the cingulate fasciculus before piercing the corpus callosum to join the postcommissural fornix. The lateral dorsal nucleus and the anterior nuclear group, including the anterior dorsal, anterior ventral, and anterior medial nuclei, are the major thalamic recipients of projections from limbic cortex. Corticothalamic projections also terminate sparsely in the midline and intralaminar nuclear complex, including the central lateral, central dorsal, paracentral, central medial, rhomboid, and reuniens nuclei. Projections from the anterior limbic area project predominantly to the anterior medial, central lateral, and paracentral nuclei. the anterior ventral nucleus, anterior medial nucleus, and lateral dorsal nucleus are the major thalamic recipients of projections from the cingular area, the granular and dysgranular retrosplenial areas, and the presubiculum. It appears that the anterior dorsal nucleus receives afferents only from the dysgranular retrosplenial area. Bilateral cortico-thalamic projections were found in the anterior medial, dorsal medial, central lateral, central medial, paracentral, and reuniens nuclei.

Animals↗

A subcortical pathway links sensory and limbic systems of the forebrain.

The subcortical afferents and cortical projections of the lateral dorsal nucleus of the thalamus were investigated using anterograde and retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The lateral dorsal nucleus receives afferent projections from several nuclei of the pretectal complex, and sends efferent projections to several subdivisions of limbic cortex. These connections constitute a two stage pathway that could convey visual and somatosensory information to the limbic system.

Afferent Pathways↗