Electrophysiological projections of pulvinar-lateralis posterior complex (P-LP) upon superior colliculus units in the cat

The effect of Pulvinar-Lateral Posterior (P-LP) electrical stimulation on superior colliculus unitary responses and eye movements is analyzed in 17 encéphale isolé cats. Twelve of them were curarized. Out of a total of 190 recorded units, 117 were localized in the superior colliculus and 73 units in the Mesencephalic Reticular Formation (MRF) below the superior colliculus. Thirty eight per cent (n = 45) of the collicular units modified their discharge frequency when the ipsilateral P-LP was electrically stimulated. The current intensity thresholds of transynaptic activation had a range between 0.5 and 2.0 mA. Most of the orthodromic responses were produced by ipsilateral P-LP stimulation and were localized in the intermediate and deep layers of the superior colliculus. Three types of responses were obtained: short latency responses between 2 and 10 ms (57%); intermediate latency responses between 15 and 40 ms (29%), and long latency responses between 50 and 200 ms (14%). Thirty one per cent (n = 18) of the units recorded in the MRF responded to P-LP stimulation with 10 ms pulse-trains duration. In the MRF 3 types of responses were observed: 1) a decrease or blockade in the resting discharge during 20 to 100 ms after stimulation (20%); simple responses with a latency between 25 and 150 ms (40%), and complex responses with an early response and a latency between 15-40 ms, and a late response with a latency between 150 and 200 ms (40%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of cortical ablations on the turning response evoked by stimulation of the pulvinar-lateralis posterior nucleus complex in the cat

The role played by the cerebral cortex on turning responses elicited by electrical stimulation of P-LP was studied in 9 chronic cats. In three animals the sensorimotor cortex was bilaterally ablated and the threshold values for inducing a turning response were determined. None of the cats showed abnormal threshold values. In six cats the cerebral cortical area known to have reciprocal anatomical connections with P-LP was unilaterally removed. Seven days after surgery, 50% of the electrodes gave no responses; 25% evoked responses with high thresholds and 25% with normal thresholds. One month after surgery the percentages were: 14, 18 and 68 respectively. Histological findings show important fiber and neuronal degeneration in P-LP. It is postulated that this area of the cerebral cortex plays, a facilitatory role on the P-LP ability to induce turning response and that the recovery of this ability can be explained by the development of P-LP denervation supersensitivity.     

Morpho-functional effects of kainic acid injection into the cat's pulvinar-lateralis posterior nucleus complex

The histological, electroencephalographic, behavioral changes as well as the changes in the intensity threshold of stimulation necessary to induce contralateral turning were studied in 16 cats, in which kainic acid (KA) was injected locally into the pulvinar-lateralis posterior nucleus complex (P-LP). In 13 cats a stainless-steel tube with two attached electrodes was implanted in P-LP, and electrodes were also implanted in the ipsilateral dorsal hippocampus, the superior colliculus and the caudate nucleus. KA was injected through the tube using a 10 microliters Hamilton syringe. In other 3 cats, KA was injected stereotaxically through the needle of the Hamilton syringe and two electrodes were implanted in these areas after withdrawal of the syringe. The intensity thresholds of stimulation required to induce turning behavior were controlled before and after KA administration in the 13 cats with an implanted tube and only after KA injections in the three cats without a tube; in these instances the current threshold of the contralateral P-LP served as control. The histological results showed a moderate KA damage of the P-LP, with destruction of neuronal soma and gliosis and additional involvement, in all the experiments, of the dorsal hippocampus; however, passage fibers were spared by the lesions. A dose-dependent epileptic effect of KA was seen, which was slight with the 3 micrograms dose and intense with 6 micrograms. The EEG recording showed a prominent and almost simultaneous epileptic involvement of the hippocampus and the P-LP after KA, with less involvement of the other implanted structures. Turning behavior induced by electrical stimulation of the P-LP was suppressed when the electrode tip was located inside the lesioned area. When the electrode tip was placed inside a slight or moderate damaged tissue, a significative increase in current threshold was found, and finally when the tip of the electrode was outside the lesioned area no change in threshold was observed. These findings do not contradict our previous hypothesis of an intrinsic cholinergic mechanism involved in the turning response evoked by P-LP electrical stimulation, although it cannot be excluded that fibers coming presumably from the superior colliculus or pretectum may contribute to the response.     

The head-eye-body turning behavior induced by electrical or cholinergic stimulation of the pulvinar-lateralis posterior nucleus complex is not dependent on the catecholaminergic system

Two experimental designs were developed in cats in order to analyze the role of the catecholaminergic system in the turning response evoked by cholinergic or electrical stimulation of the pulvinar-lateralis posterior nucleus complex (P-LP). Twenty one adult cats were employed. In one series of experiments, nine cats had a cannula implanted in one P-LP, and through it, apomorphine alone or mixed with carbachol were microinjected. The behavior was observed and the EEG was recorded. In the second experimental design, a cannula and bipolar electrodes were implanted unilaterally in the P-LP of nine cats, and a series of electrical stimulations were performed before and after 6-OHDA administration into the P-LP, and apomorphine was injected parenterally in order to induce turning behavior. Finally three cats received 16 micrograms of 6 OHDA into the P-LP, through a Hamilton syringe and no electrodes or cannula were implanted, to study the histological damage. No evidence of involvement of the catecholaminergic system was found in either of these two experimental series. These results contrast with what has been found in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system, where an imbalance in dopamine concentration induces turning behavior. High doses (16 micrograms) of 6-OHDA induced minimal damage in the P-LP.     

Spatiotemporal characteristics of evoked potentials in the posterior ventrolateral nucleus of the cat thalamus

Evoked potentials (EPs) in the posterior ventrolateral nucleus (VPL) of the thalamus in response to electrical stimulation of the skin of the contralateral forelimb were studied. It was shown that they are formed by superposition of several electrical dipoles, one of which lies with two poles in VPL while the rest have one pole in VPL and the other in more caudal zones of the somatosensory system. The first phase of the EP in VPL consists of two components with different amplitude—frequency characteristics. The lability of the second component is low and it disappears if the frequency of stimulation rises above 20 Hz. The focus of maximal activity during contralateral stimulation of the skin of the forelimb occupies the same topographical position in VPL during development of the positive and negative phases of the EP. The steepness of rise of the ascending phase and the amplitude of the positive phase of the EP are greatest at the focus of maximal activity; in other regions the lines of equal steepness need not necessarily coincide with the equipotential lines; differences are especially noticeable in the sagittal plane.Institute of the Brain, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 439–446, July–August, 1972.     

Efferent connections of the nucleus lateralis posterior-pulvinar complex in the cat.

The nucleus lateralis posterior-pulvinar complex of the thalamus displays an integrative function. The efferent connections of this nuclear group were examined by the authors in the cat. In their work, they utilized also the earlier observations on the afferent connections of the nucleus. The nuclear complex projects to the associative fields encompassed by the visual- and the acoustic cortex without intruding into the primary cortical areas. On the other hand, its afferent connections are, apart from the associative field, also yielded by the primary visual and acoustic cortex. All this is completed by the reciprocal connections of the LP-pulvinar complex with the visual- and acoustic system, as well as between the associative areas of the cortex.     

Pulvina-lateralis posterior nucleus complex of mammals and the visual function

It is now well established that the lateral posterior-pulvinar (LP-P) complex of mammals is involved in visual processing. However, the actual function of these large nuclei of the thalamus remains unknown. In contrast to the nearby lateral geniculate nucleus, the LP-P complex does not receive any substantial direct projections from the retina. Its main visual inputs come from the mesencephalon and the neocortex. Most cells in the LP-P complex behave like cortical units. They are tuned to the orientation, direction, spatial and temporal frequencies of the visual stimulus. In addition, most units are binocular and sensitive to relative retinal disparity. Despite their multiple inputs, the LP-P complex cells form an homogeneous population and their overall properties do not reflect those of a given cortical or subcortical area. On the basis of its afferent and efferent connectivity, it has been proposed that the LP-P complex may serve as a relay of an extrageniculate ascendant pathway which originates from the superior colliculus, and/or provide another route for the geniculo-striate input to reach the extrastriate areas. Despite the fact that there is some electro-physiological evidence of such functions, it is now often suggested that the LP-P complex may integrate its multiple inputs and be involved in functions which go beyond those of a simple thalamic relay. Recent findings suggest that the LP-P complex might play a role in visual spatial attention.     

Degenerated boutons in the fundus striati (nucleus accumbens septi) after lesion of the parafascicular nucleus in the cat

Summary An attempt has been made to reveal which of the nine different types of synapses in the fundus striati, discriminated in a previous study, degenerate following experimental lesions in the parafasciculo-center median complex of the cat. Two types of synaptic contacts were found to be degenerated two days after the lesion was performed: (1) the axo-spinous type IV, characterized by densely-packed, small, round vesicles and a strong asymmetric thickening, and, (2) the axo-dendritic or axo-somatic type VII, again characterized by small, round vesicles in a dense accumulation and an asymmetric thickening. After two days of survival the original characteristics of the boutons could still be recognized in both types of synapses.A positive correlation exists between the location and extent of the coagulation foci in the parafascicular nucleus and the appearance of degenerated boutons in the fundus striati. Therefore, the conclusion that the parafasciculofundus neurons terminate as type IV or type VII boutons is entirely justified. Additionally, the role of the special types of boutons in the synaptic organization of the fundus striati has beeen discussed.Dr. J. W. Chung on leave of absence from the Department of Anatomy, Catholic Medical College, Seoul, KoreaHerrn Professor Dr. Drs. h. c. Wolfgang Bargmann zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet     

Role of the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus in the function of generalization in the cat

In chronic experiments on cats contribution of the thalamic mediodorsal nucleus to the organization of the processes of generalization and abstraction was studied by means of alternation method. Electrolytic ablation of the nucleus retarded the learning and impeded the initial stages of formation of the generalization function. Mechanisms of thalamic dementia are discussed.     

Projections of the cortical visual areas of the posterior gyrus sigmoid and the caudate nucleus in the cat

The complex performances of the visuo-motor system entail probably an intervention of circuits connecting, the primary visual areas, to other cortical regions, specially the sensory motor cortex, and certain sub-cortical formations. For testing this hypothesis, the unilateral resection of the areas 17, 18 and 19 has been undertaken on 19 cats, with delays ranging from 8 days to 3 months after intervention. The tracing of the pathways was carried out by combining different degenerating methods in particular the Marchi reaction. Based on this, it is possible to define a compact bundle of the axons originating from the primary visual cortex and dividing into two fascicles of unequal magnitude. The slender ends in the lower part of the posterior gyrus sigmo?d; the larger one penetrates into the caudale nucleus. An ultrastructural study specifies the modalities of distribution of the axons within this nucleus.     

Unit activity of neurons of the posterior ventral nucleus of the thalamus for various waking stages in the normal cat

Using the electrocortical activity in the sensorimotor cortex as an index, three distinct levels of motionless waking can be identified in the cat, all three different from active waking and from slow sleep (attentive waking, quiet waking and drowsiness). It has now been shown that spontaneous and evoked single unit activities in n. ventralis posterior of the thalamus undergo significant changes when passing from one level of waking into another one.     

The lateral cervical nucleus in the cat

Summary Profiles of 14 neurons all sectioned through the nucleolar plane and 87 isolated dendritic profiles have been analyzed with respect to the surface area covered by boutons and astroglial processes. This analysis has revealed two different types of neurons within the lateral cervical nucleus (LCN) of the cat. The cell types also differ in other ultrastructural respects. One type, which probably consists of projection neurons, is characterized by a rather large size, a relatively small nucleus, numerous mitochondria, well developed granular and agranular endoplasmic reticulum. The cell membrane of these cells shows somatic spines and the perikaryon is covered with boutons to a mean extent of 42%. The other cell type, which probably is internuncial, is smaller, has a proportionally larger nucleus, few mitochondria and a poorly developed granular and agranular endoplasmic reticulum. These cells show no somatic spines and the perikaryal membrane is covered with boutons to an extent of about 10%. Also the bouton populations contacting the two cell types differ from one another. The proportion of internuncial neurons within the LCN has been estimated to about 8%. The internuncial neurons seem to have no preferential localization.The primary dendrites of the projection neurons have a bouton covering of about 48%. No proportional differences in covering could be revealed between different sizes of dendrites.The results are discussed in relation to what is known about the anatomical and physiological organization of the LCN, and also compared with the results obtained in other similar investigations on other parts of the central nervous system.The author is grateful to fil.kand. Göran Engholm for his help with the statistical considerations.This work was supported by grants from Anders Otto Swärds Stiftelse, Stiftelsen Lars Hiertas minne, Åhlén och Holms stiftelse, Åke Wibergs stiftelse and the Swedish Medical Research Council (Project No B70-12X-2710).