Sexual differences in the interhemispheric asymmetry of the transcallosal responses of the associative areas in the cat neocortex

Sex differences of hemisphere asymmetry of homo- and heterotopic transcallosal responses in association cortex of 48 cats (24 male and 24 female) immobilized by tubocurarine have been studied by means of topographic EPs recordings in both hemispheres. In males left hemisphere dominates by the amplitude of homotopic and positive wave of heterotopic EPs and right hemisphere dominates by the amplitude of negative wave of heterotopic sensorimotor cortex EPs. The individual asymmetry of EPs has been observed in sensomotor cortex of females and in parietal cortex of animals of both sex. The interhemispheric asymmetry is expressed distinctly in females than in males. It is concluded that sex dimorphism is present in functional organization of associative system of (callosal and intracortical) connections in cat's neocortex projection and association areas which means its more expressed hemisphere lateralization in males with more expressed interhemispheric asymmetry of functional transcallosal connections in females.     

Association connections of the cat's parietal cortex

Intercortical connections of primary sensory (visual, auditory, somatosensory) areas with the parietal association cortex were studied in cats by the retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase and the Fink-Heimer silver impregnation of degenerated fibers techniques. This combined study revealed the shape, size, and intracortical location of cells connecting the primary sensory areas monosynaptically with the parietal cortex and also the distribution of preterminals and terminals of the fibers of these cells in the parietal association cortex. The greatest number of cells forming connections with area 7 of the parietal association cortex was shown to occur in visual area V1, and with area 5 in somatosensory area S1. Besides pyramidal neurons tagged with horseradish peroxidase, which were located mainly in layers II–IV, a few tagged stellate and fusiform cells also were found. The results supplement and confirm data on afferent connections of the parietal association cortex in cats.M. Gor'kii Donetsk Medical Institute. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 3–6, January, 1981.     

Post-tetanic modification of the efficacy of excitatory transmission in neuronal networks with interhemispheric connections

The modifiable reciprocal transcallosal monosynaptic excitatory connections were for the first time detected in vivo experiments in rat motor cortex using multiunit recording and crosscorrelation analysis, It was shown that high-frequency microstimulation (MCS) of a small group of cortical cells of one hemisphere produces long-term changes in the efficacy of transcallosal excitatory connections, and also ipsilateral connections in both hemispheres. The posttetanic changes appear as long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). The bursting neurons were found to have more favorable conditions for the induction of LTP of most converging inputs (in contrast to cells with other discharge patterns). Both LTP and LTD could be simultaneously induced in synapses formed by axon collaterals of a callosal cell on several neurons. LTP and LTD could be simultaneously obtained at diverse synapses of the same cell. The number of spontaneously active callosal neurons as well as the number and efficacy of transcallosal connections increased after the MCS, whereas the number and efficacy of ipsilateral connections decreased. Basing on these data we assume that the ipsilateral inhibition is more effective than the transcallosal inhibition. MCS results in the modification of the pattern of initially existing connections between numerous neurons of an ensemble including cells of both hemispheres.     

Divergence between axonal collaterals of thalamic neurons running to the cat visual and association cortex

Projections from thalamic neurons to the visual (area 17) and parietal association cortex (area 7) were investigated in cats by means of retrograde axonal transport of fluorescent dyes. Pulvinar neurons may be divided into three groups on the basis of their connections with these areas: those projecting to area 7 (the largest (the largest group of cells), those projecting to area 17 (the smaller group), and others sending out axons to two cortical areas at the same time (a few isolated units). The two first groups only were found in the posterolateral thalamus. Divergence between axonal collaterals of pulvinar neurons may be responsible for parallel routes of information transmission to the visual and association cortex.Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 22, No. 4, pp. 513–520, July–August, 1990.     

Topography of the chimpanzee corpus callosum

The corpus callosum (CC) is the largest commissural white matter tract in mammalian brains, connecting homotopic and heterotopic regions of the cerebral cortex. Knowledge of the distribution of callosal fibers projecting into specific cortical regions has important implications for understanding the evolution of lateralized structures and functions of the cerebral cortex. No comparisons of CC topography in humans and great apes have yet been conducted. We investigated the topography of the CC in 21 chimpanzees using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Tractography was conducted based on fiber assignment by continuous tracking (FACT) algorithm. We expected chimpanzees to display topographical organization similar to humans, especially concerning projections into the frontal cortical regions. Similar to recent studies in humans, tractography identified five clusters of CC fibers projecting into defined cortical regions: prefrontal; premotor and supplementary motor; motor; sensory; parietal, temporal and occipital. Significant differences in fractional anisotropy (FA) were found in callosal regions, with highest FA values in regions projecting to higher-association areas of posterior cortical (including parietal, temporal and occipital cortices) and prefrontal cortical regions (p<0.001). The lowest FA values were seen in regions projecting into motor and sensory cortical areas. Our results indicate chimpanzees display similar topography of the CC as humans, in terms of distribution of callosal projections and microstructure of fibers as determined by anisotropy measures.     

Activity of callosal neurons of the visual cortex in the cat

Activity of 28 identified neurones of the visual cortex was recorded in cats immobilized by d-tubocurarine. Stimulation of the callosal body with a single stimulus or high-frequency train elicited a short-latency antidromic reaction of neurones in the visual cortex whose axons constitute the main part of the large cerebral commissure. Some commissural neurones responded to a single callosal stimulation by two action potentials the first one being antidromic, the second one being of long-latency postsynaptic origin. The second action potential was generated as a result of activation of axonal collaterals of the same neurone or the neighboring callosal neurones. More than a half of callosal neurones responded to a single stimulation of the lateral geniculate body by short-latency antidromic discharges and by long-latency postsynaptic reactions. These data indicate the existence of the systems of two-way neuronal connections, i.e. calloso-geniculate and geniculo-callosal ones.     

Ultrastructural characteristics of layer III pyramidal neurons in the cat primary auditory cortex (Al)

Electron microscope studies were made of retrogradely horseradish peroxidase-labeled pyramidal neurons forming transcallosal projections in layer III of the cat primary auditory cortex (Al). These showed a significant proportion of the somatic membrane to be covered with processes of astroglia, while synapses occupy 20% of the synaptic surface on average. Between 4 and 10 axosomatic synapses were identified on the profiles of callosal cell somata. All these were formed by axonal terminals containing small, flattened synaptic vesicles and had symmetrical contacts. Average length of these synaptic contacts equaled 1.6 µm. Numerous anterogradely horseradish peroxidase-labeled axonal terminals of callosal fibers were found in cortical area Al in amongst retrogradely HP-labeled neurons. The ultrastructural pattern of these is described.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 22, No. 4, pp. 520–526, July–August, 1990.     

Properties of monosynaptic connections between callosal neurons and specific thalamic nuclei

A comparative analysis of monosynaptic afferent and efferent connections of callosal neurons and target neurons of transcallosal fibers with neurons of the specific ipsilateral thalamic nuclei (ventral posterolateral, ventral posteromedial, ventral lateral, and anteroventral) was undertaken on the sensomotor cortex of unanesthetized rabbits, using an electrophysiological method. Differences were demonstrated between callosal neurons and target neurons of transcallosal fibers with respect to monosynaptic inputs from the thalamic nuclei and pathways proceeding toward these structures and (or) entering the pyramidal tract. Among target neurons, compared with callosal neurons, more cells had descending projections (54 and 14%, respectively). Monosynaptic action potentials arose in 22% of target neurons in response to stimulation of specific thalamic nuclei, whereas no such responses occurred in callosal neurons. Projections of target neurons into thalamic nuclei were shown to be formed both by independent fibers and by axon collaterals of the pyramidal tract. It is postulated that the distinctive properties thus discovered indicate significantly greater convergence of influence of thalamic relay neurons on the target neurons; this determines differences known to exist in characteristics of receptive fields and spontaneous and evoked activity of callosal neurons, on the one hand, and of neurons excited synaptically by transcallosal stimulation, on the other hand.Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 17, No. 3, pp. 305–314, May–June, 1985.     

Modular organization of callosal neurons in the rabbit sensomotor cortex

The density of distribution of callosal neurons in the rabbit sensomotor cortex was studied by injecting horseradish peroxidase into the symmetrical region of the cortex. The degree of inequality of distribution of labeled neurons was determined visually and by statistical analysis. Stained callosal neurons were mainly small and medium-sized pyramidal cells, located chiefly in layer III–IV, and substantially less frequently in layers V and VI. Different forms of grouping of labeled neurons were observed in layer III–IV: two cells at a time, five to eight cells arranged vertically, or in concentrations, whose width was usually 120–200µ, and separated by areas with reduced density. The results are regarded as confirmation of those drawn previously from results of electrophysiological investigations on the modular organization of callosal connections in the rabbit sensomotor cortex.Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Brain Institute, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 451–457, July–August, 1984.     

Cdk5 is required for multipolar-to-bipolar transition during radial neuronal migration and proper dendrite development of pyramidal neurons in the cerebral cortex

The mammalian cerebral cortex consists of six layers that are generated via coordinated neuronal migration during the embryonic period. Recent studies identified specific phases of radial migration of cortical neurons. After the final division, neurons transform from a multipolar to a bipolar shape within the subventricular zone-intermediate zone (SVZ-IZ) and then migrate along radial glial fibres. Mice lacking Cdk5 exhibit abnormal corticogenesis owing to neuronal migration defects. When we introduced GFP into migrating neurons at E14.5 by in utero electroporation, we observed migrating neurons in wild-type but not in Cdk5(-/-) embryos after 3-4 days. Introduction of the dominant-negative form of Cdk5 into the wild-type migrating neurons confirmed specific impairment of the multipolar-to-bipolar transition within the SVZ-IZ in a cell-autonomous manner. Cortex-specific Cdk5 conditional knockout mice showed inverted layering of the cerebral cortex and the layer V and callosal neurons, but not layer VI neurons, had severely impaired dendritic morphology. The amount of the dendritic protein Map2 was decreased in the cerebral cortex of Cdk5-deficient mice, and the axonal trajectory of cortical neurons within the cortex was also abnormal. These results indicate that Cdk5 is required for proper multipolar-to-bipolar transition, and a deficiency of Cdk5 results in abnormal morphology of pyramidal neurons. In addition, proper radial neuronal migration generates an inside-out pattern of cerebral cortex formation and normal axonal trajectories of cortical pyramidal neurons.     

Cortico-cortical connections in the motor cortex of the brain; a study using the peroxidase method]

Using a method based on retrograde axonal transport of horse-radish peroxidase (HRP), the cortico-cortical afferents of the motor cortex were studied. After enzyme injection into the posterior sigmoideus gyrus, the HRP product was found in the first and the second somatic sensory areas and in parietal cortex (fields 5a, 5b). The HRP-positive neurons occurred in layers II, III and V of the cortex and belonged to the pyramidal cells.     

Elementary transcallosal connections of the rabbit sensomotor cortex]

Antidromic responses of two callosal neurones to a local electrical stimulation of the rabbit sensorimotor cortex may be recorded simultaneously with one microelectrode in the homotopic cortical area. In such recording conditions the relative amplitude of extracellularly recorded action potentials of the two neurones is determined primarily by the distance between these neurones and the electrode's tip. In response to the stimulation of the symmetrical area transcallosal monosynaptic excitation of the callosal neurone may occur; two callosal neurones may exite monosynaptically one and the same recorded neurone. The results suggest the existence of clusters or columns, formed jointly by the bodies and terminals of callosal neurones; a functional interconnection between symmetrical clusters or columns may exist, in particular a positive feedback.     

Sonic hedgehog expression in corticofugal projection neurons directs cortical microcircuit formation

The precise connectivity of inputs and outputs is critical for cerebral cortex function; however, the cellular mechanisms that establish these connections are poorly understood. Here, we show that the secreted molecule Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) is involved in synapse formation of a specific cortical circuit. Shh is expressed in layer V corticofugal projection neurons and the Shh receptor, Brother of CDO (Boc), is expressed in local and callosal projection neurons of layer II/III that synapse onto the subcortical projection neurons. Layer V neurons of mice lacking functional Shh exhibit decreased synapses. Conversely, the loss of functional Boc leads to a reduction in the strength of synaptic connections onto layer Vb, but not layer II/III, pyramidal neurons. These results demonstrate that Shh is expressed in postsynaptic target cells while Boc is expressed in a complementary population of presynaptic input neurons, and they function to guide the formation of cortical microcircuitry. VIDEO ABSTRACT:     

Time Course of Functional Connectivity in Primate Dorsolateral Prefrontal and Posterior Parietal Cortex during Working Memory

The dorsolateral prefrontal and posterior parietal cortex play critical roles in mediating attention, working memory, and executive function. Despite proposed dynamic modulation of connectivity strength within each area according to task demands, scant empirical data exist about the time course of the strength of effective connectivity, particularly in tasks requiring information to be sustained in working memory. We investigated this question by performing time-resolved cross-correlation analysis for pairs of neurons recorded simultaneously at distances of 0.2–1.5 mm apart of each other while monkeys were engaged in working memory tasks. The strength of effective connectivity determined in this manner was higher throughout the trial in the posterior parietal cortex than the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Significantly higher levels of parietal effective connectivity were observed specifically during the delay period of the task. These differences could not be accounted for by differences in firing rate, or electrode distance in the samples recorded in the posterior parietal and prefrontal cortex. Differences were present when we restricted our analysis to only neurons with significant delay period activity and overlapping receptive fields. Our results indicate that dynamic changes in connectivity strength are present but area-specific intrinsic organization is the predominant factor that determines the strength of connections between neurons in each of the two areas.     

Retrograde degeneration of the neurons of the cerebellar nuclei after partial removal of the associative cerebral cortex

Retrograde degeneration of the cerebellar nuclei cells has been studied after partial ablation of the associative parietal cerebral cortex in the cat. The material is stained after Nissl. Retrogradely degenerated and normal cells are counted. The "ghost-cells" in the cerebellar nuclei indicate that a direct axonal connection exists between some neurons and the cerebral cortex operated, while the cells that are at other stages of degeneration are, perhaps, connected with this part of the cortex by means of axonal collaterals.     

Experience with the use of horseradish peroxidase for light and electron microscope studies of interneuronal connections]

By the method based on a retrograde axonal transport of exogenous horseradish peroxidase (HRP), the origins of afferentation of the motor cortex of adult cats, kittens and albino rats were studied. HRP-positive neurons were found by light and electron microscopy in the somatosensory cortex (C1) of the ipsilateral hemisphere and in the portions of the cortex of the contralateral hemisphere which were symmetrical to the site of injection of HRP. The disposition of neurons, marked by HRP, in the Vth layer of the motor cortex suggest that these neurons may send their axons into the bundles of comissural fibres going to the motor cortex of the opposite hemisphere. This method considerably expands possibilities of revealing the origins of afferentation of the investigated portion of the nervous system and allows more complete and reliable investigation of interneuronal connections.     

Changes in the direct and interhemispheric responses of the pyramidal tract after tetanization of the cortex and lateral hypothalamus

Changes in pyramidal tract response after unilateral neocortical and lateral hypothalamic tetanization were analyzed in unanesthetized and nonimmobilized rabbits. Membrane and synaptic modifications were revealed in intra- and interhemispheric connections. Changes in excitability of callosal collaterals of pyramidal tract neurons in contralateral hemisphere and changes in somatodendritic excitability in ipsilateral hemisphere could be oppositely directed. Plasticity of callosal connections may contribute to the interhemispheric asymmetry during learning.     

Associative connections of the cat parietal cortex

Interneuronal connections of area 7 of the cat parietal cortex with projection areas of the visual, auditory, and somatosensory cortex were analyzed by orthograde degeneration and retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase methods. By combined investigation the cortico-cortical sources of afferentation of parietal area 7 could be precisely identified and concentration sites of neurons sending their axons into this area identified, and the morphological characteristics of these neurons could also be determined.A. A. Ukhtomskii Physiological Institute, A. A. Zhdanov Leningrad State University. Donetsk Medical Institute. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 13–17, January–February, 1980.     

Bilateral receptive field neurons and callosal connections in the somatosensory cortex

Earlier studies recording single neuronal activity with bilateral receptive fields in the primary somatosensory cortex of monkeys and cats agreed that the bilateral receptive fields were related exclusively to the body midline and that the ipsilateral information reaches the cortex via callosal connections since they are dense in the cortical region representing the midline structures of the body while practically absent in the regions representing the distal extremities. We recently found a substantial number of neurons with bilateral receptive fields on hand digits, shoulders-arms or legs-feet in the caudalmost part (areas 2 and 5) of the postcentral gyrus in awake Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata). I review these results, discuss the functional implications of this bilateral representation in the postcentral somatosensory cortex from a behavioural standpoint and give a new interpretation to the midline fusion theory.