The olfactory connections of the lateral hypothalamus in the rat, mouse and hamster

Olfactory input to the lateral hypothalamus of the old world monkey

Responses of lateral hypothalamic neurons to 8 odors were studied in chronic unanesthetized old world monkeys (Macaca irus). Many neurons (54.5%) responded to a single odor only, and the number of neurons responding to 2, 3 and 4 odors decreased successively. No neuron responded to as many as 5 odors. Thus, the presence of olfactory input and a highly discriminative ability for odors were found in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). Neuronal responses to the same odors were also studied in the septum (Spt). In anesthetized old world monkeys, evoked potentials were recorded in the LHA and in areas of the Spt and the nucleus accumbens (Acc) during stimulation of the olfactory bulb (OB). When the Spt (and probably the Acc with it) was subsequently destroyed, OB-evoked potentials in the LHA disappeared. Next, by injecting horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the LHA, an olfactory pathway to the LHA was examined. Labeled neurons were found mainly in the Spt and the Acc, and only partly in other areas. However, labeled neurons were scarcely found in the prepyriform (PPF)-entorhinal (ER) area or in the olfactory tubercle (OT). The present study thus shows that an olfactory pathway to the LHA passes through the Spt and probably also the Acc, but not through the PPF-ER areas nor through the OT in the old world monkey.

Olfactory bulb removal decreases androgen receptor binding in amygdala and hypothalamus and disrupts masculine sexual behavior

In these experiments we examined the relationship between olfactory bulb removal, limbic system androgen receptor binding and male copulatory behavior. Sexually experienced male rats were castrated, and implanted with two 10 mm testosterone-filled silastic capsules. Animals then underwent either bilateral olfactory bulb removal (BOB) or sham surgery (Sham). Beginning 1-2 days postoperatively both BOB and Sham operates were given 4 tests for male copulation on alternate days. Less than 40% of BOB males ejaculated. In contrast, 80-100% of sham operates continued to ejaculate throughout the 4 postoperative tests. Cell nuclear androgen receptor binding was assessed in amygdala, hypothalamus, preoptic area and septum 1-2 and 8-9 days after either bulbectomy or sham surgery. We found that olfactory bulbectomy significantly reduces androgen receptor binding in amygdala and hypothalamus. The reduction in androgen receptor binding in amygdala occurs within 1-2 days following olfactory bulb removal and is correlated with the disruption of ejaculatory activity. These data suggest that the neuromodulation by olfactory bulb input to androgen-concentrating neurons in the amygdala and hypothalamus is necessary for effective copulation in male rats.

The ventral striatopallidothalamic projection: I. The striatopallidal link originating in the striatal parts of the olfactory tubercle

The projections from the striatal part of the olfactory tubercle were examined in rats, both with the aid of experimental silver impregnation methods following superficial laminar heat lesions of the tubercle and by the use of anterograde transport of Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) following injections of the lectin in the dense cell layer of the tubercle. Retrograde transport of fluorescent substances following injections of the tracer in the multiform layer of the tubercle were used to corroborate the results obtained by the anterograde transport and degeneration methods. The main and apparently only significant termination from the striatal cells in the olfactory tubercle is located immediately deep to the dense cell layer in areas that could be identified as part of the ventral pallidum on the basis of either the Nissl method or glutamate decarboxylase immunocytochemistry. Whereas a mediolateral topography is generally maintained by the ventral striatopallidal pathway originating in the dense cell layer, there is a considerable spread of the projection in the rostrocaudal direction. The dense projection field of the olfactory tubercle component of the ventral striatopallidal pathway permeates the ventrolateral part of the ventral pallidum, thereby complementing the termination of the accumbens projection to the more mediodorsal parts of the ventral pallidum.

The ventral striatopallidothalamic projection: II. The ventral pallidothalamic link

The projection of ventral pallidal neurons to the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus (MD) was examined in rats by combined retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) after injections in the MD and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) immunocytochemistry at light and electron microscopic levels, with and without prior exposure of the brains to colchicine. HRP was transported to the soma of medium-sized and large ventral pallidum neurons, which along with their long, large dendrites were contacted by many glutamate decarboxylase immunoreactive synaptic boutons. The retrograde tracer positive neurons bore a remarkable resemblance to the projecting cells of the globus pallidus and entopeduncular nucleus. When colchine exposure was included in the tissue preparation, some but not all tracer positive cells also exhibited cytoplasmic GAD immunoreactivity.

Distribution of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity in the rat central nervous system--II. Immunohistochemical analysis

The distribution of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity in the rat brain and spinal cord was investigated by means of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase procedure of Sternberger using a rabbit anti-neuropeptide Y serum. A widespread distribution of immunostained cells and fibres was detected with moderate to large numbers of cells in the following regions: olfactory bulb, anterior olfactory nucleus, olfactory tubercle, striatum, nucleus accumbens, all parts of the neocortex and the corpus callosum, septum including the anterior hippocampal rudiment, ventral pallidum, horizontal limb of the diagonal band, amygdaloid complex. Ammon's horn, dentate gyrus, subiculum, pre- and parasubiculum, lateral thalamic nucleus (intergeniculate leaflet), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, medial preoptic area, lateral hypothalamus, mediobasal hypothalamus, supramammillary nucleus, pericentral and external nuclei of the inferior colliculus, interpeduncular nucleus, periaqueductal central gray, locus coeruleus, dorsal tegmental nucleus of Gudden, lateral superior olive, lateral reticular nucleus, medial longitudinal fasciculus, prepositus hypoglossal nucleus, nucleus of the solitary tract and spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve. In the spinal cord cells were found in the substantia gelatinosa at all levels, the dorsolateral funiculus and dorsal gray commissure in lumbosacral cord. The pattern of staining was found to be similar to that observed with antisera to avian and bovine pancreatic polypeptide, but to differ in some respects from that observed with antisera to molluscan cardioexcitatory peptide. The presence of neuropeptide Y immunoreactive fibres in tracts such as the corpus callosum, anterior commissure, lateral olfactory tract, fimbria, medial corticohypothalamic tract, medial forebrain bundle, stria terminalis, dorsal periventricular bundle and other periventricular areas, indicated that in addition to the localisation of neuropeptide Y-like peptide(s) in interneurons in the forebrain, neuropeptide Y may be found in long neuronal pathways throughout the brain.

Studies on the olfactory nervous system of the Old World monkey

From the results of our electrophysiological and HRP studies in the old world monkey, multiple olfactory pathways have been clarified. The old world monkey has two neocortical olfactory areas, but no functional vomeronasal system. The response patterns to odors in various olfactory areas have also been studied. On the other hand, in the rabbit (Onoda and Iino, 1980) and dog (Onoda et al., 1981, 1982), which do have active vomeronasal systems, only one neocortical olfactory area was found. This important difference had already been indicated in three previous papers in which Takagi (1979, 1980, 1981) theorized that mammals can be divided into two groups according to their olfactory nervous mechanisms. One group includes old world monkeys, higher primates and man, and the other new world monkeys and lower mammals.

Extent and organization of opossum prefrontal cortex defined by anterograde and retrograde transport methods

Prefrontal cortex is commonly defined as cortex which receives afferents from the thalamic mediodorsal nucleus (MD). The extent of opossum prefrontal cortex was mapped with anterograde and retrograde axonal transport methods. The prefrontal field was found to include not only cortex on the lateral convexity of the frontal lobe as reported in earlier studies, but, in addition, cortex within the rhinal fissure and cortex on the rostral medial wall of the hemisphere. The organization of the thalamic input to the medial wall was analyzed in some detail and compared with that of the rat. The reason for this emphasis stemmed from earlier observations which suggested that a lateral, nonolfactory segment of MD, prominent in the rat and other species, may not be present in opossum MD. In the rat, the lateral segment, which constitutes approximately one-third of MD, projects to a relatively large expanse of rostral medial cortex which is also projected upon by the anteromedial nucleus. The main projection field of the lateral one-third of opossum MD is to cortex on the lateral convexity of the frontal lobe which has no input from the anteromedial nucleus and has no counterpart in the rat. Only the most lateral edge of opossum MD projects to medial cortex, to a very small field, which is also projected upon by the anteromedial nucleus. In other respects, the organization of the rostral medial cortex is similar in rat and opossum. These results suggest that, rather than being absent, an equivalent of a nonolfactory segment may be present in opossum MD but is markedly reduced in size, compared to that in rat and other species.

Degeneration of thalamic neurons in "Purkinje cell degeneration" mutant mice. I. Distribution of neuron loss

The Purkinje cell degeneration (pcd) mutation of the mouse is an autosomal recessive allele which previous studies have shown to be the cause of rapid degeneration of nearly all cerebellar Purkinje cells between 18 and 30 postnatal days of age (P18-P30), and slowly developing, progressive losses of retinal photoreceptor cells and mitral cells of the olfactory bulb. Through examination of serial frozen sections alternately stained for Nissl substance and for degenerating neuronal processes, we have found that discrete populations of thalamic neurons degenerate rapidly between P50 and P60. Severely affected nuclei, in which a majority of neurons degenerate, include the central division of the mediodorsal nucleus, the ventral medial geniculate, posterior, posterior ventromedial, and submedial nuclei, and those portions of the ventrolateral and posteromedial nuclei which immediately surround the medial division of the ventrobasal complex. More subtle cell losses occur during the same time period in restricted portions of the lateral ventrobasal, dorsal lateral geniculate, and lateral posterior nuclei, but even at P180 these nuclei are not markedly atrophic. No common denominator among target cell populations has been established. The pcd allele affects a diverse assortment of specific relay nuclei; degeneration has not been recognized in thalamic nuclei characterized primarily or exclusively by subcortical projections or by cortical projections directed relatively selectively to superficial or deep cortical laminae. The neuronal degenerations in the thalamus are not precipitated by prior or concurrent degeneration of cortical targets or afferent sources, though striking transneuronal changes, including cell death, do develop following thalamic neuronal degeneration in this mutant. No previously described murine mutant phenotype includes the rapid degeneration of highly restricted neuronal populations beginning at these relatively advanced ages.

Cell configurations in the olfactory tubercle of the rat

The rat olfactory tubercle was studied with the rapid Golgi method. Several distinct cell types were identified mainly on the basis of the size of their somata and the structure of their dendrites. The commonest neuron type in the tubercle is the medium-sized densely spined cell. The somata of these neurons occur chiefly in the dense cell and multiform layers. They also form the cell bridges that directly link the olfactory tubercle with the nucleus accumbens and caudate-putamen. Their dendritic trees exhibit a variety of shapes; some of them are spherical, some are bipolar, and others are asymmetrical. The axons project dorsally, deep into the multiform layer. En route they give off numerous collaterals. A large version of this cell type is the crescent cell. Other medium-sized neurons also have somata in the dense cell and multiform layers. They include the spindle cells, so named because of the shape of their cell bodies, and the medium-sized spine-poor neurons. Neither of these cell types has dendritic trees that are as highly branched as those of the medium-sized densely spined cells. There are three types of small cells; their somata occur primarily in the dense cell and molecular layers. The dwarf cells are near the pial surface, although their somata are included in the dense cell layer, and they have axons that resemble those of medium-sized densely spined cells. The radiate cells have numerous, relatively short, spine-free dendrites that extend out from the rounded somata in all directions. The small spine-rich cells look like miniature versions of the medium-sized densely spined neurons. They are frequently confined to the molecular layer. Large spine-poor neurons, with their cell bodies located in the dense cell and multiform layers, seem to be a heterogeneous cell group since there are subtle variations in the structure of their dendrites and the shape and extent of their dendritic trees. The large, moderately spined neurons are less common than the other large cells; their somata are found in all three layers. The granule cells of the islands of Calleja make up the most homogeneous cell group. They have only a few dendrites, and these are quite thin. Except for the medium-sized densely spined and dwarf cells, the axons of the different cell types were not very well impregnated. The different cell types in the tubercle are compared to cells in the nucleus accumbens, caudate-putamen, and globus pallidus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The development of axonal connections in the central olfactory system of rats

The development of the cytoarchitecture and axonal connections of the central olfactory system were studied in fetal and neonatal rats from E16. In contrast to neocortical development, the olfactory cortex lacks a distinct cortical plate. In the piriform cortex and the olfactory tubercle the cellular laminae emerge simultaneously, while in the anterior olfactory nucleus, there are morphogenetic gradients from superficial to deep as well as from caudal to rostral which parallel the known cytogenetic gradients. Parallel morphogenetic and cytogenetic gradients are also present in the lateral to medial axis of the olfactory tubercle. The projection from the olfactory bulb and the associational projections from the piriform cortex begin to develop well before birth. At E17 fibers from the bulb are limited to the lateral olfactory tract (LOT) and the molecular layer just deep to it, and then spread out caudally, laterally, and medially away from the LOT. This sequence of innervation parallels and predicts the density of innervation in the adult: those areas which are innervated first (such as the piriform cortex deep to the LOT) ultimately receive the heaviest innervation; conversely, those areas which are innervated very late (such as the medial olfactory tubercle) receive the lightest projection. The intracortical projections from the anterior and posterior piriform cortex extend into layer I ipsilaterally by E20 and obtain their adult distribution by the middle of the first postnatal week. On the other hand, fibers from the anterior olfactory nucleus and the entorhinal area do not reach their full adult extent until the second postnatal week. Similarly, the crossed projection of the anterior piriform cortex to the contralateral posterior piriform cortex does not grow into layer I until this later time. The timing of fiber ingrowth showed no relation to the trajectory or eventual areal or laminar termination of fibers. As with the olfactory bulb projection, the timing may influence the density of termination. Centrifugal fibers to the bulb are demonstrable around the time of birth both by the retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and by the anterograde transport of 3H-leucine. The arrival of additional fibers during the remainder of the first postnatal week parallels the known cytogenetic and morphogenetic gradients in the areas in which they arise. The projections of the olfactory cortex to the lateral hypothalamic area and the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus are evident before birth. This correlates with the early generation of the cells which give rise to these projections.

Olfactory and vomeronasal system mediation of maternal recognition in the developing rat

Olfactory-mediated arousal and maternal recognition were evaluated in neonatal rat pups. Non-nutritionally deprived pups which underwent bilateral olfactory bulbectomies on day 5, failed to distinguish between the ventral and dorsal surfaces of a nursing rat and a heating pad. They showed virtually no arousal response to any of these surfaces. In contrast, pups with unilateral bulbectomies, and sham controls, graded their arousal response, and were maximally aroused by the mother's ventral surface. Following 24 h of maternal deprivation, bilaterally bulbectomized pups displayed a modest arousal response, directed primarily towards the dorsal surface. Pups with complete vomeronasal nerve sections displayed maximal arousal responses toward the dorsal surface. However, they were far more aroused than the bilaterally bulbectomized pups. Rat pups with incomplete vomeronasal lesions graded their response like controls, with maximal responsiveness directed toward the ventral surface. Shaving the dorsal surface markedly diminished the arousal response of bilaterally bulbectomized pups, but had only modest effects on sham and unilaterally bulbectomized controls. Thus, lesions that destroyed both the main and accessory's olfactory bulb systems severely impaired the pups' ability to effectively recognize a lactating female and markedly diminished maternally-induced arousal. Selective damage to the vomeronasal-accessory olfactory system appeared to disrupt discriminative capacity, but had little effect on the magnitude of the arousal response.

The islands of Calleja complex of rat basal forebrain II: connections of medium and large sized cells

The connections of the medium (10-20 microns) and large (20-35 microns) cells of the islands of Calleja Complex (ICC) were studied in the albino rat with anterograde and retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and fluorescent tracers. The medium and large size cells were found to project to the ipsilateral olfactory tubercle, ventral pallidum, septum, piriform cortex, periamygdaloid cortex, cortical nuclei of the amygdala, ventral endopiriform nucleus, lateral hypothalamic area, Forel's field H, ventral tegmental area, supramammillary complex, and nuclei gemini of the hypothalamus, midline, intralaminar and medial thalamic nuclei, and lateral habenula. Afferents of the ICC appear to include the same nuclei with the exception of the lateral habenula. In addition, the dorsal raphe projects to the ICC. These connections are consistent with the concept that the ICC is a striato-pallidal structure.

Dual olfactory representation in the rat thalamus: an anatomical and electrophysiological study

A combination of electrophysiological and anatomical techniques was used to determine the sites of termination of olfactory projections to the thalamus and the distribution of the cells of origin of these projections within the olfactory cortex. Following electrical stimulation of the olfactory bulb, short-latency unit responses were recorded not only in the central segment of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus but also in the ventral and anterior parts of the submedial thalamic nucleus. Responses were not obtained in the ventral or lateral parts of the mediodorsal nucleus, in the dorsal part of the submedial nucleus, or in the intralaminar nuclei between the mediodorsal and submedial nuclei. The cells of origin of the projection were identified by making injections of horseradish peroxidase conjugated to wheat germ agglutinin (HRP WGA) into the thalamus and examining the olfactory cortex for retrogradely labeled cells. Following injections into the mediodorsal nucleus, labeled cells were found in the polymorphic cell zone deep to the olfactory tubercle, in the ventral endopiriform nucleus deep to the piriform cortex, and in an equivalent position deep to the periamygdaloid and lateral entorhinal cortices. After injections into the submedial nucleus, a smaller number of labeled cells were found in similar locations, except that they were restricted to the rostral olfactory cortical areas and were not found deep to the lateral part of the piriform cortex. Retrogradely labeled cells and anterogradely labeled axons were also found in the lateral orbital and ventral agranular insular areas of the prefrontal cortex with injections into the mediodorsal nucleus, and in the ventrolateral orbital area with injections into the submedial nucleus. Anterograde tracing experiments, using the autoradiographic method, have confirmed these results. Injections of 3H-leucine deep to the junction between the anterior piriform cortex and the olfactory tubercle label axons in both the central segment of the mediodorsal nucleus and the ventral part of the submedial nucleus, while injections deep to the posterior piriform cortex label axons in the mediodorsal nucleus only. Within the mediodorsal nucleus, the projection also appears to be organized so that fibers which arise more rostrally terminate ventrolaterally in the central segment, while fibers which arise more caudally terminate more dorsomedially. These results indicate that there is a substantial and possibly dual thalamocortical mechanism available for processing of olfactory stimuli.

Reexamination of functional subdivisions of the rodent prefrontal cortex

Selective patterns of behavioral deficits were observed on tests of spatial or olfactory learning after different cortical lesions in rats. The results clearly distinguished functional subdivisions of the rodent prefrontal cortex: Rats with lesions of the prefrontal cortex that primarily involve the dorsal bank of the rhinal sulcus were impaired selectively and exhibited increased perseveration of responses in a go, no-go odor discrimination task. In contrast, rats with lesions of the region of prefrontal cortex situated along the medial cortical wall were impaired selectively and exhibited increased perseveration of responses in a spatial delayed alteration task. These behavioral deficits were similar in magnitude and quality to those found in monkeys after discrete ablations of frontal lobe regions that are argued to be homologous prefrontal subdivisions.

Brain systems and long-term memory

This paper focuses mainly on those findings derived from lesion studies on the rat which help to identify ensembles of neural structures concerned with the expression of previously learned responses. At the outset, the use of the lesion method in the search for those neurological circuits underlying memory is defended. This is followed by an evaluation of neocortical and subcortical systems in long-term memory. Subsequently, a modest list of tentative functional neural "complexes" involved in the maintenance of certain classes of learned responses is given, based largely upon the author's own research. It is concluded that the key to the understanding of the neurological substrates of long-term memory lies in the identification of those subcortical sites which interact with neocortical sites in the performance of complex learned tasks. The most likely subcortical sites involved in this interaction appear to inhabit the regions of the basal ganglia, limbic midbrain area, and ventral portions of the brainstem reticular formation.

Olfactory connections of substantia innominata and nucleus of the horizontal limb of the diagonal band in the rat: an electrophysiological study

Extracellular unit recordings performed on 113 spontaneously discharging neurons in the substantia innominata-nucleus of the horizontal limb of the diagonal band region revealed that 46 (41%) were transsynaptically discharged or inhibited following stimulation of the main and accessory olfactory bulb (MOB, AOB) and the prepyriform cortex (PPC). A significantly greater number of cells were responsive to MOB and PPC than to AOB shocks. Eight (7%) neurons were antidromically invaded following MOB volleys. These findings suggest that the MOB has functional reciprocal connections with the 'ventral striatum', a region which can function, presumably as a nodal point for convergence of visual, gustatory and olfactory information relevant to feeding and drinking behavior.

Afferent and efferent connections of small nuclei in the posterolateral hypothalamus of the cat

Four separate neuronal groups, termed the anterior, dorsal, ventral, and posterior nuclei of the juxtamamillary complex, were labeled retrogradely from the thalamic lateral posterior nucleus with horseradish peroxidase. The retrograde labeling was predominantly ipsilateral in the anterior, dorsal, and ventral nuclei, while it was predominantly contralateral in the posterior nucleus. The anterior, dorsal, and posterior nuclei could be detected clearly in Nissl sections; the ventral nucleus was only identified by horseradish peroxidase transport. The distribution of afferents to the juxtamamillary nuclei was investigated with the Fink-Heimer technique. Following lesions of the olfactory tubercle and underlying structures, degenerating fibers in the medial forebrain bundle terminated discretely in the juxtamamillary nuclei. The dense terminal pattern conformed to the borders of the nuclei and was sometimes visible macroscopically. This pattern resembles that of medial forebrain bundle afferents to nuclei gemini in the rabbit and rat. Since the anatomical portions of these nuclei are also similar, it was concluded that the nuclei of the cat are comparable with the nuclei gemini in the rabbit and rat.

Tracing of two-neuron pathways in the olfactory system by the aid of transneuronal degeneration: projections to the amygdaloid body and hippocampal formation

Following an olfactory bulb lesion in guinea pig (2 to 3 days), neuronal degeneration occurs in several olfactory-bulb-related areas, primarily in the piriform cortex. The degenerating neurons, which are argyrophilic, are also found in the posterolateral cortical amygdaloid nucleus and the ventrolateral entorhinal cortex. It is suggested that the neurons degenerate because of a transneuronal effect due to a sudden loss of afferent input from the olfactory bulb, although a retrograde effect acting in concert with transneuronal factors cannot be excluded. Terminal degeneration can be identified in several areas outside the olfactory bulb projection area, and is interpreted as degeneration in the axons of the degenerating cortical neurons. Such terminal degeneration, which is best seen 3 to 4 days postoperatively, has been identified in part of the basolateral amygdaloid complex, in the basomedial amygdaloid nucleus, and in the temporal parts of the fascia dentata of the hippocampal formation. Terminal degeneration has also been observed in the deep layers of the anterior olfactory nucleus, the olfactory tubercle, the nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract, and the anterior amygdaloid area. All these projections, apparently, represent the second link in two-neuron pathways, where mitral or tufted cells in the olfactory bulb make up the first neuron. This interpretation was confirmed in control experiments in which areas of argyrophilic neurons coincided with the location of retrogradely labeled neurons following injection of fluorescent substances into several of the above-mentioned areas of terminal degeneration.

Differential projections from locus coeruleus to olfactory bulb and olfactory tubercle: an HRP study

The microiontophoretic administration of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to the olfactory bulb (OB) or olfactory tubercle (OT) in cats and rats yielded similar results in both species. After an OB HRP-injection ipsilateral and contralateral labelled neurons were seen in the piriform cortex, polymorphic layer of OT, magnocellular preoptic region, lateral hypothalamus, ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus and locus coeruleus (LC). In both species more labelled structures were found after an OT HRP-injection than after an OB HRP-injection. The substantia nigra in rats was more abundantly labelled after an OT injection than after an OB one. In cats the dorsal and the ventral raphe were also labelled. In either species, OT HRP-injections resulted in a higher frequency of LC labelled neurons than after OB injections. These results favor the hypothesis that the OT plays an important role as a relay station for efferent inflow from the brain stem en route to the OB.

Sources of olfactory inputs to opossum mediodorsal nucleus identified by horseradish peroxidase and autoradiographic methods

Some sources of olfactory input to the opossum mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD) were identified by retrograde horseradish peroxidase and anterograde autoradiographic methods. One major source originated from the olfactory tubercle and a narrow strip of piriform cortex bordering the tubercle. The tubercle-MD projection exhibited a definite spatial organization and included all except the most medial part of MD. The fact that the projection reached the most lateral and ventral extent of MD abutting the intralaminar complex suggests that the entire opossum MD may correspond to only the medial, magnocellular division in the primate and that the equivalents of both the parvocellular and paralamellar divisions may be absent.

Afferent connections of dorsal and ventral agranular insular cortex in the hamster Mesocricetus auratus

The agranular insular cortex is transitional in location and structure between the ventrally adjacent olfactory allocortex primutivus and dorsally adjacent sensory-motor isocortex. Its ventral anterior division receives major afferent projections from olfactory areas of the limbic system (posterior primary olfactory cortex, posterolateral cortical amygdaloid nucleus and lateral entorhinal cortex) while its dorsal anterior division does so from non-olfactory limbic areas (lateral and basolateral amygdaloid nuclei). The medial segment of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus projects to both the ventral and dorsal divisions of the agranular insular cortex, to the former from its anterior portion and to the latter from its posterior portion. Other thalamic inputs to the two divisions arise from the gelatinosus, central medial, rhomboid and parafascicular nuclei. The dorsal division, but not the ventral division, receives input from neurons in the lateral hypothalamus and posterior hypothalamus. The medial frontal cortex projects topographically and bilaterally upon both ventral and dorsal anterior insular cortex, to the former from the ventrally located medial orbital and infralimbic areas, to the latter from the dorsally-located anterior cingulate and medial precentral areas, and to both from the intermediately located prelimbic area. Similarly, the ipsilateral posterior agranular insular cortex and perirhinal cortex project in a topographic manner upon the two divisions of the agranular insular cortex. Commissural input to both divisions originates from pyramidal neurons in the respective contralateral homotopical cortical area. In each case, pyramidal neurons in layer V contribute 90% of this projection and 10% arises from layer III pyramidals. In the brainstem, the dorsal raphe nucleus projects to the ventral and dorsal divisions of the agranular insular cortex and the parabrachial nucleus projects to the dorsal division. Based on their cytoarchitecture, pattern of afferent connections and known functional properties, we consider the ventral and dorsal divisions of the agranular insular cortex to be, respectively, periallocortical and proisocortical portions of the limbic cortex.

The medial forebrain bundle of the rat. I. General introduction

This paper is the first of a projected series of studies on the structure and composition of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) of the rat and the relations of this fiber system to its bed nucleus, the lateral hypothalamic area. The first part of the paper comprises an extensive review of literature on the MFB from its discovery by Ganser in 1882 to the present. This review serves as the basis for an evaluation of our present-day knowledge of the organization of the MFB, which is presented in the second part of this paper. Despite the wealth of information available on the origins and sites of termination of the axons that constitute the MFB, surprisingly little attention has been given to the bundle itself, to its topographic boundaries, its fiber composition, or to the spatial arrangement of its constituent components. These features of the MFB as it extends through the lateral preoptic and lateral hypothalamic areas have been analyzed in normal Klüver-Barrera- and Bodian-stained material. From this analysis, a detailed atlas of the MFB and some of the surrounding structures has been prepared. This atlas, which forms the third section of this paper, illustrates the appearance and organization of the MFB at ten equidistant levels through the lateral preoptic and lateral hypothalamic continuum.

Metabolic mapping of functional activity in the olfactory projections of the rat: ontogenetic study

An ontogenetic study of the uptake of [14C]2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) within the direct olfactory bulb projections and the tertiary olfactory projections was performed on rats of 1, 9 and 21 days old. Animals were exposed either to ethyl acetoacetate or to nest odor. In newborns, most of the direct olfactory bulb projections - anterior olfactory nucleus, anterior part of the olfactory tubercle, piriform cortex and nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract - appear labelled on films and therefore seem functional. No evidence of 2-DG uptake can be brought out in the cortical amygdala nucleus. AS regards the tertiary olfactory projections, there is no apparent functional activity, neither in the medio-dorsal and medio-ventral thalamic nuclei nor in the hypothalamic nuclei, e.g. the lateral preoptic area and the lateral hypothalamus. In 9-day-old pups, the direct olfactory bulb projections and the tertiary olfactory projections appear well-contrasted. Moreover, the patterns of labelling within the direct olfactory bulb projections are comparable to those observed in 21-day-old rats and in adult. These data are correlated with the postnatal development of the discriminating ability of the rat.

Cell types within the medial forebrain bundle: a Golgi study of preoptic and hypothalamic neurons in the rat

The morphology of lateral preoptic (POL) and lateral hypothalamic (HLA) neurons was studied in 14- to 200-day-old rats with the chlorate-formaldehyde modification of the Golgi method. Drawings of 91 POL and HLA neurons revealed three distinct neuronal types within the MFB based on somatic size and shape and dendritic morphology. Class I neurons, which accounted for 75-80% of the neurons in the MFB, has fusiform or multipolar somata averaging 21 X 14 micron and 2-5 sparsely branched dendrites with a moderate number of sticklike spines. The extensive dendritic domains of Class I neurons ranged from 700 to 1,500 micron and were usually oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal fibers of the MFB. Both nonoriented and oriented Class I neurons were encountered. Nonoriented Class I neurons had expansive dendritic arbors which reached nearly all regions of the MFB in the coronal plane. Oriented Class I neurons had dendritic domains which were confined to specific regions (e.g., ventral-lateral) of the MFB. Class II neurons, which made up approximately 10% of the MFB neurons, had large multipolar somata averaging 30 X 17 micron and 2-5 stout dendrites which were densely covered with hairlike spines. Class II neurons also exhibited spines on their somata and proximal dendritic trunks and had dendritic domains of 700-1,000 micron. Class III neurons had small somata averaging 15 X 12 micron and restricted dendritic arbors of 500-700 micron in diameter. Class III neurons exhibited both spiny and spine-free dendrites and made up 10% of MFB neurons. Because of the parcellation of chemically coded fiber systems within the MFB, individual POL and HLA neurons may not be homogeneous in the type of afferents they receive from other brain areas.

The organization of projections from the olfactory bulb to the piriform cortex and olfactory tubercle in the rat

The organization of the projection of olfactory bulb output cells was studied in the rat by injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the piriform cortex or olfactory tubercle. We made single HRP injections into small cuts in the fiber layer of the projection areas in order to enhance uptake by axons and to confine the region of HRP uptake. Following most of these injections, HRP-labeled axons could be traced in discrete fascicles through the fiber layer of the cortex or tubercle. These observations indicate that axons innervating the piriform cortex do not emit many long collaterals after they leave the lateral olfactory tract. HRP-labeled cells were generally observed throughout the ipsilateral olfactory bulb, but there were regions of greater density of labeled cells that differed in the various brains. The differences among the distributions of labeled mitral and tufted cells were analyzed statistically in 39 brains to test whether they varied systematically with injection site. In these analyses, the olfactory bulb was divided into 30 standard regions, and the labeled cells in each regions were counted. The distributions of labeled cells were similar for brains where injections were made into similar regions of the piriform cortex. The variations in density of labeled cells of the dorsal and anterior regions of the olfactory bulb were most strongly correlated with the positions of cortical injections. In contrast, the posterior medial regions of the bulb were heavily labeled after almost all injections. The ventral portions of the olfactory bulb were most heavily labeled after injections into the olfactory tubercle.

Potentiation of pressor and behavioral responses to brain stimulation following bilateral olfactory bulbectomy in freely moving rats

The effects of bilateral olfactory bulb (OB) ablation on pressor and behavioral responses to stimulation of the posterior hypothalamic area (PHA) and midbrain reticular formation (MRF) were investigated in unanesthetized and unrestrained rats with chronic electrodes and arterial cannula implants. Bilateral olfactory bulbectomy induced a marked increase in emotional responses to given stimuli. A high incidence of muricide was also observed after olfactory bulbectomy. The threshold for inducing behavioral arousal and pressor response to PHA and MRF stimulation were markedly enhanced. The enhancement in pressor response to MRF stimulation occurred immediately after olfactory bulbectomy and persisted throughout the experiment, while that to PHA stimulation appeared gradually and reached maximum at 10 days after olfactory bulbectomy. These results suggested that olfactory bulbectomy has a great influence not only on emotionality but also on the central neural mechanisms of autonomic regulation.

Neuroregulatory and neuroendocrine GnRH pathways in the hypothalamus and forebrain of the baboon

The distribution of neurons containing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the baboon hypothalamus and forebrain was studied immunocytochemically by light and electron microscopy. GnRH was present in the perikarya, axonal and dendritic processes of immunoreactive neurons. Three populations of GnRH neurons could be distinguished. Most of the GnRH neurons which are assumed to directly influence the anterior pituitary were in the medial basal hypothalamus. Other cells that projected to the median eminence were found scattered throughout the hypothalamus. A second, larger population of neurons apparently was not involved with control of the anterior pituitary. These neurons were generally found within afferent and efferent pathways of the hypothalamus and forebrain, and may receive external information affecting reproduction. A few neurons projecting to the median eminence were also observed sending collaterals to other brain areas. Thus, in addition to their neuroendocrine role, these cells possibly have neuroregulatory functions. The inference is made that these bifunctional neurons, together with the widely observed GnRH-GnRH cellular interactions may help to synchronize ovulation and sexual behavior.

Hippocampal potentials evoked by stimulation of olfactory basal forebrain and lateral septum in the rat

Electrophysiological characteristics of olfactory-hippocampal relations were examined because recent anatomical studies have described a substantial olfactory input to the hippocampus via the entorhinal cortex. Potentials evoked in the dorsal hippocampus of anesthetized rats by stimulation of the prepyriform cortex, pyriform cortex, diagonal band, lateral olfactory tract, anterior commissure, olfactory tubercle and anterior olfactory nucleus had similar characteristics, although latencies differed. For example, latencies were twice as long after stimulation of the obliquely oriented portion of the diagonal band than after stimulation of the prepyriform cortex. A relatively low-amplitude, initially negative wave was recorded in the subiculum, CA1 and CA2, and a relatively high-amplitude, initially positive wave was recorded in CA4 and the dentate gyrus. In CA3 negative potentials were observed at dorsal recording sites and positive potentials were recorded at more ventral sites. Peak latencies were usually two to four msec shorter for the negative than for the positive wave. Laminar distributions of responses evoked in the hippocampus by stimulation of the prepyriform cortex and diagonal band were evaluated by driving eight electrodes mounted on one carrier through the brain and were found to be strikingly similar. Maximal amplitudes of the negative wave were recorded at the level of stratum moleculare of CA1 and the subiculum, and peak amplitudes of the positive wave were associated with the hilus of the dentae gyrus. Transition from negative to positive waveforms occurred approximately at the hippocampal fissure. Although the negative and positive waves were usually elicited together, they also were separable in that only negative waves were recorded along some tracks and only positive waves along others. Also, various stimulation sites in the prepyriform cortex elicited stable high-amplitude positive waves accompanied by negative waves of varying amplitude. It is suggested that branches of the perforant path are involved in generation of the two waves and that activity in a number of olfactory structures may influence the hippocampus, probably via the perforant pathway. Thus, hippocampal potentials following prepyriform or diagnonal band stimulation were not abolished by transection of the fornix-fimbria. Dorsolateral septal stimulation evoked hippocampal responses with characteristics and distribution distinctly different from those evoked by stimulation of olfactory areas. The findings suggest that lateral septal stimulation may activate the hippocampus antidromically.

Localization of acetylcholinesterase in the main and accessory olfactory bulbs of the mouse by light and electron microscopic histochemistry

Experiments were conducted to examine by light and electron microscopy the localization of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the main (MOB) and accessory (AOB) olfactory bulbs of the normal mouse. Evidence from the literature for cholinergic innervation of the mammalian olfactory bulb was then assessed in light of possible correlation between reported sites of termination of centrifugal fibers to the olfactory bulb and the localization of AChE. AChE-positive nerve fibers were concentrated in the periglomerular region and internal plexiform layer of the MOB. Stained fibers were also present in the granule cell, mitral cell, and external plexiform layers as well as within glomeruli. A few neurons in all layers of the MOB contained AChE reaction product. Unlike the MOB, AChE-positive fibers were not present in the glomerular layer of the AOB. AChE-positive fibers were concentrated in the inner plexiform layer, whereas fewer stained fibers were observed in the external plexiform and mitral cell layer and granule cell layer. Lightly stained neurons were found in the deeper portions of the external plexiform and mitral cell layer and granule cell layer. Ultrastructurally, AChE reaction product in the MOB and AOB was predominantly associated with small unmyelinated axons. Reaction product was also observed adjacent to axon terminals and dendrites. Occasionally within the MOB, AChE activity was found within periglomerular, tufted, short-axon, mitral, and granule cells. In the AOB, however, intracellular AChE activity was observed within some mitral/tufted cells and only a few granule cells. In conclusion, the AChE reaction product was mainly associated with axons in regions of the MOB where centrifugal fibers have been reported. Accessory olfactory bulb AChE localization was different from that of the MOB, suggesting a different pattern of cholinergic input to the AOB. The small amounts and sites of intraneuronal AChE reaction product in cells of the olfactory bulb indicate cholinoceptive rather than cholinergic function.

An experimental study of the ventral striatum of the golden hamster. II. Neuronal connections of the olfactory tubercle

As part of an experimental study of the ventral striatum, the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) method was used to examine the afferent and efferent neuronal connections of the olfactory tubercle. Following iontophoretic applications or hydraulic injections of HRP in the tubercle, neurons labeled by retrograde transport of HRP were observed ipsilaterally in the telencephalon in the main olfactory bulb, the medial, lateral, ventral, and posterior divisions of the anterior olfactory nucleus, and in the orbital, ventral, and posterior agranular insular, primary olfactory, perirhinal, and entorhinal cortices. Labeled cells were also present in the basolateral, basomedial, anterior cortical, and posterolateral cortical amygdaloid nuclei, and bilaterally in the nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract. In the diencephalon, ipsilateral HRP-containing neurons were observed in the midline nuclei paraventricularis, parataenialis, and reuniens, and in the parafascicular intralaminar nucleus. Retrograde labeling was present in the ipsilateral brainstem in cells of the ventral tegmental area, substantia nigra, and dorsal raphe. Many of the above projections to the tubercle were found to be topographically organized. Anterograde axonal transport of HRP from the olfactory tubercle labeled terminal fields ipsilaterally in all parts of the anterior olfactory nucleus, in the ventral pallidum, and in the substantia nigra, pars reticulata. Contralaterally, terminal fields were present in the dorsal and lateral divisions of the anterior olfactory nucleus. The projections to the tubercle from the orbital, ventral, and posterior agranular insular, and perirhinal neocortices, intralaminar thalamus, and dopamine-containing areas of the ventral mesencephalon are analogous to the connections of the caudatoputamen, as are the efferents from the tubercle to the ventral globus pallidus and substantia nigra. These connections substantiate the recent suggestion that the olfactory tubercle is a striatal structure, and provide support for the ventral striatal concept. In the present study of the olfactory tubercle, and in the first study in this series on the nucleus accumbens, the ventral striatum was found to receive projections from a number of limbic system structures, including the main olfactory bulb, anterior olfactory nucleus, amygdala, hippocampus, and subiculum, and the entorhinal and primary olfactory cortices. These findings suggest that the ventral striatum is concerned with integrating limbic information into the striatal system.

Light and electron microscopic studies on the medial forebrain bundle in rat: III. Degenerated nerve elements in the medial hypothalamic nuclei following surgical transections of the medial forebrain bundle

Transections of the rat medial forebrain bundle at various levels and the separation of the medial and lateral hypothalamus were performed to study with light and electron microscopy axonal and terminal degeneration in the arcuate, ventromedial and dorsomedial nuclei and in the median eminence. Fibres entering the MFB from various directions participate in the innervation of the arcuate nucleus. The bulk of extrahypothalamic fibres terminating in the median eminence derive from the lower brain stem and reach their target through the MFB. Preoptic originating and transient fibres also terminate in the median eminence. Following parasagittal separation of the medial and lateral hypothalamus massive degeneration was found in both layers of the median eminence. This is likely to be due to interruption of the supraoptic-hypophyseal tract but axons of intrinsic MFB-neurons might also contribute to the innervation of the median eminence.

Neurobehavioral evidence for the involvement of the vomeronasal system in mammalian reproduction

Jacobson's organ of the vomeronasal system is found in every order of mammals with the possible exception of Cetacea. The equivocal evidence claiming a vestigial or absent organ in humans is reviewed. Based upon anatomical considerations, the sensory epithelium of Jacobson's organ is one of five possible sensory components within the nasal cavity. Many methods designed to test the role of olfaction (sensu strictu) in physiology and behavior do not discriminate among the possible systems. Therefore, erroneous conclusions may have been drawn from the results of intervention experiments. The central neuroanatomical projections of the vomeronasal and olfactory systems are different and relatively independent of each other. The vomeronasal system reciprocally communicates with central areas concerned with reproductive events. On the other hand, the olfactory system may subserve individual maintenance tasks (e.g., feeding). As a periscope from the diencephalon, the vomeronasal system may monitor exogenous hormones, "pheromones".

The involvement of the olfactory bulbs in the regulation of gonadal and thyroidal activities of male red-winged blackbirds, exposed to short-day light regime

Surgical removal of the olfactory bulbs (OB) was performed in mature male red-winged blackbirds, maintained under a short-day light regime. Bulbectomy caused hyperphagia, which was not accompanied by obesity. Bulbectomized (OBX) birds had incresaed thyroid follicular activity and had greater developed testes than sham-operated controls. In the adenohypophyses of the OB-removed birds there was an increase in the populations of 4 types of chromophils: alcianophils, PAS-positive basophils, orangeophils and PAS-positive acidophils. The possibility that the OB are involved in the photoperiodic regulation of the activity of the gonads and thyroids is discussed.

An autoradiographic study of the efferent connections of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus

Efferent projections from the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN) were traced using tritiated amino acid autoradiography in albino rats. Ascending fibers passed through the anterior hypothalamus. Labelled fibers and terminal fields were seen in the preoptic area, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, substantia innominata, the anterior amygdaloid area, diagonal bands of Broca and lateral septum. Fibers also projected laterally from VMN and entered the supraoptic commissures and zona incerta. These lateral projections were responsible for the fibers observed in the cerebral peduncle, the amygdala, the thalamus and the reticular formation. Fibers descending in a medial position projected through the posterior hypothalamus and then swept dorsally to terminate in the mesencephalic and pontine central grey. A projection from VMN into the median eminence was noted. The overall patterns of projection from different parts of VMN were similar; differences that existed were primarily in the relative strengths of the different projections. The efferent projections from VMN are extensive, well organized, and would appear capable of supporting significant physiological actions on extra-hypothalamic structures.

Centrifugal influence on olfactory bulb activity in the rabbit

(1) Regions which exert centrifugal influences on the olfactory bulb activity were studied by applying systematic stimulation to various areas of the ipsilateral telencephalon in the rabbit. By delivering electric stimuli to the anterior commissure (AC), the deep lying structures in the projection areas of the lateral olfactory tract (LOT) and the medial forebrain bundle situated between the lateral hypothalamic area and the lateral preoptic area, negative field potentials were evoked in the granule cell layer (GCL) of the bulb. (2) Intracellular recordings from the mitral cells and the GCL neurons in the olfactory bulb were performed in order to clarify the modes of the centrifugal influences on the olfactory bulb neurons. (3) EPSPs were recorded in the GCL neurons by stimulation of the deep-lying structure of the prepiriform cortex as well as by stimulation of the AC. The onset time and duration of the EPSPs corresponded well to those of the negative field potentials in the GCL. Thus, it was suggested that these negative potentials were caused by the EPSPs of the number of granule cells. (4) In almost all of the mitral cells, IPSPs were recorded by stimulation of the AC and the deep-lying structures of the LOT projection areas. The onsets of the IPSPs were found with delays of several milliseconds from those of the negative field potentials in the GCL. (5) It was postulated that the excitation of the centrifugal system mainly exerts a depressive influence on the activity of the mitral cell, and that the GCL neuron (presumably the granule cell) seems to be an inhibitory interneuron interpolated between the extrinsic fibers from the telencephalon and the mitral cell.

Cortical projections of the thalamic mediodorsal nucleus in the rabbit

The cortical projection of the thalamic mediodorsal nuclear complex (MD) in the rabbit was mapped retrograde horseradish peroxidase and anterograde tritiated proline techniques. The projection field occupied the entire medial wall rostral to a mid corpus callosal level, wrapped around the frontal pole onto the lateral convexity and tailed off caudally on the dorsal bank of the rhinal sulcus. The projection of the lateral approximately one-half of MD, the half which does not receive olfactory input, was confined to medial cortex supply all but the most rostral region. This projection field of lateral MD was precisely organized in two dimensions with the most lateral part projecting most caudally and the most dorsal part projecting most ventrally. A representation for the third, anterior-posterior (A-P), dimension was not evident since any cortical point within the field was supplied by a cylinder of cells extending the entire A-P extent of lateral MD. The medial half of MD, which does receive olfactory input, projected to the remaining rostral medical cortex, the lateral convexity and rhinal sulcal region. The inverse dorsoventral relationship was partially preserved and on overlapping A-P gradient was present with sulcal projections originating more caudally in medial MD and the rostral medial projection originating more rostrally.