The organization of synaptic interconnections in the laminae of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat

A quantitative study of morphological reorganization following chronic optic deafferentation in the adult cat dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus

Neuronal and synaptic reorganization in the lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) of adult cats following chronic visual deafferentation has been investigated with the aid of GABA immunocytochemistry and quantitative electron microscopy. The main purpose of this study was to establish the morphological counterpart of the functional plasticity of dLGN relay cells after total visual deafferentation (Eysel: Brain Res. 166:259-271, '79). The results provide evidence that the regained excitability of relay cells is not the result of disinhibition (caused hypothetically by the selective loss of GABAergic cells) since the proportion of GABA-positive and GABA-negative cells as well as the inhibitory synaptic density did not change. The alternative suggestion that the enhanced excitability could be the result of compensatory axonal sprouting by corticothalamic fibers had also to be dropped: the absolute number of corticothalamic axons to the deafferented dLGN remains unchanged. Because of shrinkage of the dendritic trees of dLGN neurons, however, the density of cortical synaptic input at dLGN cells becomes elevated by almost 60%. It is suggested that the regained excitability of relay neurons is the consequence of the combined effects of adaptive (structural) reduction in size ("atrophy") of retinally denervated nerve cells, and, as a consequence, increase of input resistance, reduced shunting effects, and relative increase in density of the excitatory cortical input per neuron.

Glial glutamate dehydrogenase: ultrastructural localization and regional distribution in relation to the mitochondrial enzyme, cytochrome oxidase

Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) is primarily a mitochondrial enzyme involved in the metabolism of glutamate. We have recently shown by light microscopic immunocytochemistry that, within detergent-permeabilized brain tissue, GDH is enriched in glial cells, particularly in regions utilizing L-glutamate as a neurotransmitter. In this study, we used immunogold labeling to quantitatively establish that the form of the enzyme recognized by the presently used GDH antiserum is associated primarily with a subpopulation of mitochondria in ultrathin, plastic-embedded sections of the rat cortex and striatum. Permeabilization with detergents was omitted in these studies, so as to preserve the ultrastructure. As expected, labeled mitochondria occurred both in neurons and glia. Furthermore, light microscopic comparisons of the regional distributions of peroxidase immunoreactivity for GDH and a histochemical reaction product for a second mitochondrial enzyme, cytochrome oxidase (CO), were used to demonstrate that high levels of GDH in glia of glutamate-receptive areas do not necessarily reflect the areas' demand for elevated oxidative metabolism. While all regions showing intense labeling for glial GDH also exhibited high levels of CO activity, many additional regions showing high levels of CO activity contained no detectable immunoreactivity for glial GDH. These light-microscopic comparisons reveal that the energy requirements are not the only factors accounting for the regional heterogeneity of the enzyme. We conclude that glial mitochondria are heterogeneous with respect to their GDH content and that GDH is enriched in areas exhibiting chronically active glutamatergic transmission.

Localization of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in type 3 cells and demonstration of their source to F2 terminals in the cat lateral geniculate nucleus: a Golgi-electron-microscopic GABA-immunocytochemical study

Postembedding immunocytochemistry with a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) antiserum was done on semithin sections of cat lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) previously processed with the rapid-Golgi and gold-toning procedures, to determine which of the three main morphological types (1, 2,3) of neurons in the A-laminae show immunoreactivity and are, therefore, presumably GABAergic. Only type 3 cells were found to be GABA positive. These cells were characterized by small somata and few, scarcely branched dendrites bearing almost exclusively appendages with long slender stalks. Some of these cells have extensive filiform "axonlike" processes originating from different regions of dendrites and having appendages similar to those originating directly from dendrites. Many of these Golgi gold-toned impregnated dendritic appendages of type 3 cells were analyzed in the electron microscope and were identified as typical F2 terminals by their content of pleomorphic synaptic vesicles; by being postsynaptic to retinal (RLP), cortical (RSD), and perigeniculate (F1) terminals; and by being presynaptic to dendrites. In addition, since it was previously demonstrated that glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and GABA-positive cells are not retrogradely labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) from the visual cortex, the present results, by showing that GABA-positive cells have type 3 morphology, provide supporting evidence for the interneuronal nature of type 3 cells in cat LGN.

Elimination of action potentials blocks the structural development of retinogeniculate synapses

Although the influence of electrical activity on neural development has been studied extensively, experiments have only recently focused on the role of activity in the development of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). Using tetrodotoxin (TTX) to abolish sodium-mediated action potentials, studies on the visual system show that impulse activity is essential both for the normal development of neuronal size and responsivity in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), and for the eye-specific segregation of geniculo-cortical axons. There have been no anatomical studies to investigate the influence of action potentials on CNS synaptic development. We report here the first direct evidence that elimination of action potentials in the mammalian CNS blocks the growth of developing axon terminals and the formation of normal adult synaptic patterns. Our results show that when TTX is used to eliminate retinal ganglion-cell action potentials in the cat from birth to 8 weeks, the connections made by ganglion cell axons with LGN neurones, retinogeniculate synapses, remain almost identical morphologically to those in the newborn kitten.

Quantitative comparison of retinal synapses in the dorsal and ventral (parvicellular) C laminae of the cat dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus

Three physiological classes of retinal ganglion cell project to the cat dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (DLGN). The dorsal laminae A, A1, and magnocellular C receive X and Y retinal input, whereas the ventral parvicellular laminae C1 and C2 receive predominantly W input. We have compared quantitatively the retinal synaptic terminals of the dorsal and ventral laminae to determine whether there are morphological differences in the terminals that correspond to their different response properties. Anterogradely labeled retinal synaptic terminals in all laminae contained pale mitochondria and large, round synaptic vesicles. However, retinal terminals with pale mitochondria varied in size and synaptic organization in different laminae. The terminals in the A laminae were, on average, quite large and made numerous contacts with conventional dendritic profiles and with profiles that themselves contained synaptic vesicles (F2 profiles). The terminals in lamina C that contained pale mitochondria had a smaller overall mean area. Terminals with pale mitochondria in C1 and C2 were almost all small and synapsed with F2 profiles less frequently than did terminals in the A laminae or in lamina C. These results provide quantitative evidence that visual areas receiving W-type retinal input contain smaller retinal terminals and have a different synaptic organization from that of laminae receiving X and Y input.

A Golgi and ultrastructural analysis of the centromedian nucleus of the cat

The morphology of neurons in the centromedian nucleus (CM) was studied in rapid Golgi preparations of the adult cat. The ultrastructure of the nucleus, particularly its synaptic organization, was also studied with electron microscopy. The CM contains three types of neurons referred to as principal neurons, Golgi type II neurons, and bushy neurons. Principal neurons are the most numerous, have long dendrites, which branch infrequently, and are divided into two subgroups: principal-A neurons with dendrites that arborize radially, whereas principal-B neurons display horizontal orientations. Both subgroups show a frontal orientation in their dendritic organization and give rise to myelinated axons. Golgi type II neurons with their characteristic sinuous dendrites and unmyelinated axons are thought to be interneurons. The occurrence of bushy neurons in the cat's CM is a new finding. These bushy neurons resemble those of thalamic specific relay nuclei and give rise to myelinated axons. In addition to these three cell types, neurons with intermediate features between these three neuronal types are also described. The ultrastructure of CM neurons resembles, in general, typical central nervous system neurons. Presynaptic profiles are classified into four main categories. SR (small round) boutons are small in size, contain clear, round vesicles, and form asymmetrical synaptic contacts with predominantly small-diameter dendrites. LR (large round) boutons are relatively large and contain both clear and dense-cored vesicles. They interdigitate and form multiple, moderately asymmetrical synapses with their postsynaptic targets. Pale profiles are identified by their relatively electron-light appearance. They contain round vesicles and are thought to be dendritic in origin. The last category of presynaptic profiles is pleomorphic boutons. They contain vesicles of different shapes and are further subdivided into two subtypes: pleomorphic-I ends on soma and dendritic trunks, whereas pleomorphic-II contacts small-diameter dendrites. Both subtypes form symmetrical synapses. The glomeruli of specific thalamic relay nuclei generally contain dendrites, LR boutons, and pale profiles. In addition to these, pleomorphic-II boutons also participate in the formation of the glomerulus of the cat's CM.

The proportion and size of GABA-immunoreactive neurons in the magnocellular and parvocellular layers of the lateral geniculate nucleus of the rhesus monkey

Neurons containing GABA-immunoreactivity in LGN of the macaque monkey were analyzed quantitatively in semithin (1 micron) sections. The percentage of GABA(+) cells per unit area of the sections was 26% in the magnocellular layers and 19% in the parvocellular layers. However, the percentage of GABA(+) cells in a unit volume of LGN, calculated by a stereological method that takes into account the observed difference in size of labeled and unlabeled somata, was 35% in the magnocellular layers and 25% in the parvocellular layers. GABA(+) somata in the magnocellular layers were significantly larger than those in the parvocellular layers. The possible role of GABAergic cells in inhibitory mechanisms of receptive fields of parvo- and magnocellular neurons are discussed in the light of current knowledge of the physiology and neural circuits of macaque LGN.

The localization of cytochrome oxidase in the LGN and striate cortex of postnatal kittens

The distribution of cytochrome oxidase (C.O.) was examined in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the kitten during the first postnatal month and compared with the adult pattern. During the first week, most of the C.O. was localized within the perikarya of geniculate neurons. Perigeniculate neurons had darkly reactive dendrites as well as perikaya. A population of relatively large, darkly reactive neurons became distinguishable around the end of the first week, as the level of reactivity diminished to moderate-to-light within most medium and small neurons. On the basis of their relative size and pattern of distribution, most of the darkly reactive neurons are likely to represent ones that will later have class 1 morphology and develop Y receptive field properties. These cells normally undergo rapid growth earlier, and their growth is more adversely affected by early short-term monocular suture than other classes of less reactive geniculate neurons. Thus, in the LGN of developing kitten, C.O. histochemistry may be used as a functional marker for future class 1 Y-cells. The reactivity of the neuropil gradually increases as synapses with dendrites mature. At the electronmicroscopic level the increased reactivity of the neuropil is due mainly to an increase in the number of reactive mitochondria localized within the growing dendrites. In the developing striate cortex of postnatal kittens dark reactivity is localized in the outer part of layer II for the first 2 weeks and then disappears. Dark reactivity gradually increases in layer IV after the third week. The changes in C.O. reactivity accompany pathway-specific physiological and anatomical changes that occur during early postnatal development.

An analysis of the cellular localization of cytochrome oxidase in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the adult cat

The distribution of cytochrome oxidase (C.O.) was examined in the normal adult cat lateral geniculate nucleus at the cellular and electron-microscopic levels. The darker reactivity of the X- and/or Y-receptive laminae (A, A1, magnocellular lamina C [Cm], and medial interlaminar nucleus [MIN]) compared with the lightly reactive W-receptive parvicellular lamina C (Cp) indicates that there are pathway-specific histochemical differences in the visual system of the cat. At the cellular level, darkly reactive large cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) closely resemble class 1, Y-cells, in relative size and distribution, thus indicating that C.O. histochemistry may be used as a functional marker for these cells. Perigeniculate neurons are also darkly reactive. Neuronal classes 2, 4, and 3 (presumed X-cells, W-cells, and/or interneurons) have moderate to lightly reactive perikarya. The darkly reactive neuronal classes tend to receive relatively stronger proximal excitatory synaptic input than do the less reactive neuronal classes. Since all neuronal classes appeared to have darkly (or moderately) reactive dendrites, C.O. reactivity must differ between dendrite and soma of some neuronal classes. At the electron-microscopic level, distinct components of the neuropil tend to have specific levels of C.O. reactivity. The predominance of darkly reactive mitochondria in dendrites indicates that dendrites are metabolically very active. RLD and may F's, but few large axon terminals with round vesicles (RL) or small axon terminals with round vesicles (RS) profiles are darkly reactive, implying that specific classes of presynaptic structures are more active than others. Thus C.O. histochemistry may be useful for distinguishing not only functionally active neuronal classes such as Y-cells and perigeniculate (PG) neurons from less active neuronal classes, but also functionally more or less active parts of the same neuron including its dendrites, axons, and/or axon terminals.

Ultrastructural development of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of genetically microphthalmic mice

The ultrastructure of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) of microphthalmic mice is described in affected white homozygotes (mi/mi) and their apparently normal grey littermates. In the dLGN of mi/mi animals populations of apparently normal axon terminals were observed, including some with flattened synaptic vesicles and other small terminals with round vesicles and dark mitochondria (RSD), possibly of cortico-thalamic origin, just as in normal mice. However, no typical large retinal endings with round vesicles and pale mitochondria (RLP) are visible. Instead they appear to be replaced by other large boutons with round vesicles and dark mitochondria (RLD). Eye enucleation does not cause degeneration of these RLD terminals. In apparently normal grey littermates RLP terminals are present and they degenerate when an eye is enucleated. But RLD endings are also found in these animals, and never degenerate after enucleation. The origin of the RLD terminals is unclear but seems not to be cortical. These findings are compared with those of Cullen and Kaiserman-Abramof (1976) in a different strain (ZRDCT-An) of anophthalmic mouse in which they found large replacement terminals similar to our RLD boutons.

The organization of the lateral geniculate nucleus and of the geniculocortical pathway that develops without retinal afferents

The fine structure and cortical connections of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus have been studied in postnatal (3.5-14-month-old) ferrets in which all retinal afferents had been removed prenatally at the time these fibers are first starting to invade the nucleus. The synaptic profiles in the mature nucleus show the cytological characteristics and arrangements that would remain if the retinal afferents were removed, with no significant compensatory ingrowth of foreign specific afferents. The nucleus is reduced in overall volume, but the geniculocortical and corticogeniculate interconnections show an essentially normal topography. Although in these experiments the geniculocortical projections can establish a normal topographic pattern in the absence of retinal afferents an accompanying paper shows that this topographic pattern can also be modified in the presence of abnormal retinogeniculate inputs. We conclude that two separate mechanisms contribute to the formation of retinal maps within the geniculocortical pathways and that different interactions between these two mechanisms produce the different patterns of abnormal geniculocortical pathways that have been described in pigment-deficient cats, mink and ferrets.

Fine structural survey of the rat's brainstem sensory trigeminal complex

The fine structural organization of the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus was compared with that of the spinal trigeminal nucleus (subnuclei oralis, interpolaris, and the deep layers of caudalis) in adult albino rats. Direct comparisons indicate similarities between all of the subdivisions of the brainstem trigeminal complex both in the major morphological classes of neurons present and in basic patterns of synaptic connections. Major differences between the several subdivisions occur in the relative numbers and distribution of the different cell types. The spinal trigeminal nucleus is distinguished by more numerous large (22-40 micron) polygonal neurons which give rise to long straight primary dendrites. Both the perikaryal surface and the thick primary dendrites of many of these cells are densely innervated by synaptic terminals. Especially large cells of this type are a prominent feature of subnucleus oralis. By contrast, the principal sensory nucleus is distinguished by its high density of small to medium-sized (8-20 micron) round or ovoid neurons. These smaller neurons tend to receive a sparse axosomatic innervation. In addition to these differences the spinal trigeminal neuropil is distinguished by the striking manner in which it is broken up by large rostrocaudally oriented bundles of myelinated axons. Proximal dendrites of polygonal and fusiform neurons often wrap around these large axon bundles. Morphologically heterogeneous populations of synaptic terminals with round vesicles (R terminals) and terminals with predominantly flattened vesicles (F terminals) occur in all of the subdivisions of the trigeminal complex. Both types of terminal make primarily axodendritic synapses, but both also make axosomatic synapses, and axospinous synapses with somatic as well as dendritic spines. In addition, axoaxonic synaptic contacts from F terminals onto large R terminals are seen in all subdivisions. Convincing examples of presynaptic dendrites were not observed in any of the brainstem subdivisions. Synaptic glomeruli, characteristic groupings of dendrites and synaptic terminals, are found throughout the brainstem trigeminal complex. The dendritic elements in these glomeruli tend to be small-diameter dendrites, spines, and large, spinelike appendages. Within the glomerulus these elements are postsynaptic to a single large R terminal and may also be postsynaptic to smaller F terminals. In addition, axoaxonic synaptic contacts from the F terminals onto the R terminal are a consistent feature of trigeminal synaptic glomeruli.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Synaptic organization of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus in the adult hamster. An electron microscope study using degeneration and horseradish peroxidase tracing techniques

The synaptic organization of the alpha sector of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus has been examined by electron microscopy in normal adult hamsters and in adult hamsters subjected to unilateral eye enucleation or intravitreal injection of horseradish peroxidase. Two types of neuropil are apparent. Islands of complex neuropil partially enclosed by astrocyte processes (synaptic glomeruli) are surrounded by a sea of simpler non-glomerular neuropil. The latter is dominated by small axon terminals with spherical synaptic vesicles and Gray type 1 axodendritic contacts (SR-boutons) and also contains axon terminals with flattened synaptic vesicles (F-boutons). The glomerular neuropil contains exclusively postsynaptic dendrites and dendritic protrusions of presumptive projection cells; pre- and postsynaptic pleomorphic-vesicle-containing P-boutons (interpreted as appendages of the dendrites of interneurons); large axon terminals containing spherical synaptic vesicles and large pale mitochondria (R-boutons) which were experimentally identified as retinal terminals and which are presynaptic to both projection cell dendrites and P-boutons at Gray type 1 contacts; F-boutons (minority component). F-boutons and P-boutons are presynaptic to both projection cell dendrites and P-boutons and P-boutons are the intermediate elements of various serial synapses including triplet (triadic) synapses. Medium-large terminals with spherical synaptic vesicles and dark mitochondria (RLD-boutons) which were commonly invaginated by dendritic spines of projection cells in small glomerulus-like formations were also identified. The origin of RLD-boutons is unknown but SR-boutons probably derive chiefly from ipsilateral visual cortex and possibly also from superior colliculus, and non-glomerular F-boutons probably originate in the ipsilateral thalamic reticular nucleus. No differences in synaptic organization were found between the part of the nucleus which receives uncrossed retinal input and the part which receives crossed input, nor were differences seen in the size, fine structure or relationships between the terminals of identified crossed and uncrossed retinal axons.

The structure of the terminal arborizations of physiologically identified retinal ganglion cell Y axons in the kitten

Retinal ganglion cell (r.g.c.) axons (n = 17) in the optic tract of 4-5 week-old kittens and adult cats (n = 4, this study, n = 27 from other reports) were studied both physiologically and morphologically. Axons were initially classified during extracellular recording with a battery of physiological tests that included Fourier analysis of the response to a sinusoidally counterphased sine-wave grating. Y axons had a significant second harmonic response component (greater than twice the fundamental) present independent of the spatial phase position of the grating. These axons were then recorded from intracellularly and subsequently filled ionophoretically with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The HRP filled the axons' terminal arborizations in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (l.g.n.). The innervation pattern and and structure of the terminal arborizations of the kitten r.g.c. Y axons were compared to those of the adult. The kitten Y axons innervated the l.g.n. in a pattern similar to that of the adult (individual branches from a single axon always innervated lamina A or A1 and may also have innervated lamina C, the medial interlaminar nucleus (m.i.n.) and/or sent branches that coursed medial to the l.g.n.). Fourteen of seventeen of these Y axons in the kitten innervated either of the A-laminae heavily (greater than 200 terminal boutons per axon). The remaining three r.g.c. Y axons in the kitten had only small arborizations within lamina A (less than fifty terminal boutons per axon) but heavily innervated lamina C. The structure of the terminal boutons on the kitten r.g.c. Y axons was highly variable when compared to axons of adult cats. Some of the boutons were spherical or crenulated as in the adult. Many others had filopodia and growth cone-like terminals with fine extensions. This variable maturation of terminal boutons was seen both between axons and on individual axons. The number of boutons on the kitten r.g.c. Y axons in the A-laminae was significantly less than that of adult Y axons. The mean numbers of boutons per axon were 476 and 1553 in the kittens and adult cats, respectively (P less than 0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). The width of the terminal arborization of individual Y axons in the A-laminae of the kittens was considerably smaller than in adult cats (mean widths of the terminal arborizations are 192 and 293 micron in the kittens and adult cats, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Normal postnatal development of retinogeniculate axons and terminals and identification of inappropriately-located transient synapses: electron microscope studies of horseradish peroxidase-labelled retinal axons in the hamster

Axons from the eyes reach the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the hamster at birth and both crossed and uncrossed axons spread throughout the nucleus within which they overlap extensively between postnatal days 2-6, before segregating to terminate in different parts of the nucleus by days 8-10 [So, Schneider and Frost (1978) Brain Res. 142, 343-352]. We have labelled retinal axons and their terminations between the day of birth (day 0) and day 6 by injecting one eye with horseradish peroxidase a few hours prior to sacrifice. Labelled profiles were then systematically sought, identified and their position determined, by electron microscope study of large frontal thin sections of both dorsal lateral geniculate nuclei. Labelled crossed and a few labelled uncrossed axons were present at day 0 and became progressively more common over the following few days; appropriately-located labelled uncrossed axons and terminals in the centromedial part of the nucleus (future ipsilateral sector) were relatively less common than labelled crossed axons in the ventrolateral part of the nucleus (part of the future contralateral sector), particularly between days 0 and 3. Synaptic contacts established by such labelled axons were characterized by predominantly electron-lucent spherical presynaptic vesicles and a prominent postsynaptic density. At day 4, labelled uncrossed axons made synaptic contact in the future contralateral sector (which is devoid of uncrossed input after days 8-10) and a few crossed axons made synaptic contacts in the future ipsilateral sector (devoid of crossed input after days 8-10). Such terminals and their synaptic contacts, were identical to appropriately-located ones in the same material. Inappropriately-located terminals were not found in the future contralateral sector at day 6, or in adults. No specialized contacts were observed between inappropriately-located axons or terminals and either other axon terminals or glial cell processes. Thus, during the development of the hamster retinogeniculate projection, inappropriately-located axons establish transient synaptic contacts with geniculate cells, and these contacts are lost as the segregated adult pattern of projections is established.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The effects of partial retinal lesions on activity and size of cells in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus

The nasal parts of the adult cat retina were photocoagulated. In the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) the projection of the remaining innervation was shown by anterograde transport of 3H-proline after eye injections. The neuronal activity was measured from single cells across the border region between innervated and deafferented parts of layer A of the dLGN contralateral to the lesions. A gradual decrease from normal light-excitability to total inexcitability was observed over a range of 300 micron. The perikaryal cell sizes measured in the same part of the dLGN displayed a concomitant decrease. Blockage of the afferent impulses by chronic application of tetrodotoxin did not change the results, suggesting that it is the loss of connections, not the loss of activity, that produces the transneuronal atrophy in the adult cat dLGN.

Brain stem neurones with differential projection to functional subregions of the dorsal lateral geniculate complex in the cat

Neurones (n = 194) in the ponto-mesencephalic reticular formation were identified as projecting to the region of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, by their antidromic activation from this region. The projection of individual neurones was investigated by mapping of thresholds at closely spaced sites in the lateral geniculate nucleus and the dorsally located perigeniculate nucleus. Low thresholds, long latencies and stepwise antidromic latency shifts, occurring together, were taken to indicate termination. Low thresholds with short antidromic latencies without stepwise latency shifts were encountered more ventrally and ascribed to stimulation of larger fibres en route to terminal fields. The conduction velocity from the stimulation site of the large fibres to the cell bodies in the reticular formation was 0.9-3.1 m/s and to regions within the terminal fields 0.06-0.2 m/s. The considerable slowing of the conduction velocity, together with the extensive regions with low thresholds and the abundance of latency shifts, 0.3-19.5 ms, suggest arborization of very thin fibres within the terminal fields. Three groups of reticular neurones with different termination were distinguished: type A neurones (n = 32) terminate exclusively in the laminae of the lateral geniculate nucleus. Type B neurones (n = 22) terminate in the perigeniculate nucleus, the overlaying part of the reticular nucleus of thalamus and in the interlaminar plexuses in the lateral geniculate nucleus. Type C neurones (n = 27) terminate both in the lateral geniculate nucleus and the perigeniculate nucleus. The projection of individual neurones of all three types extended throughout their entire target nucleus/nuclei and is thus global with respect to the visual hemifield. On the basis of previous findings that stimulation in the reticular formation inhibits interneurones in both feed-forward and recurrent inhibitory pathways to relay cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus, it is suggested that the reticular neurones are inhibitory and that the type A neurones control the feed-forward inhibition, type B neurones the recurrent inhibition and type C neurones both inhibitory mechanisms together. Findings suggesting that different reticular neurones may be related to the interneuronal circuits of the X-, Y- and W-systems are discussed. Type A, B and C neurones were found intermingled, around the brachium conjunctivum and among its fibres from the level of the decussation to the posterior end of the locus coeruleus complex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Fine structural morphology of identified X- and Y-cells in the cat's lateral geniculate nucleus

Four physiologically identified neurons in the A laminae of the cat's dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus were filled with horseradish peroxidase and studied using the electron microscope. Two were X-cells and two were Y-cells. Each had electrophysiological properties appropriate for its X- Or Y-cell class, and each also had an axon that projected into the optic radiation, indicative of a geniculocortical relay cell. Representative samples from about 10% of each neuron's entire dendritic arbor (proximal and distal) were taken to obtain an estimate of the types and distributions of synapses contacting these arbors. One X-cell had a cytoplasmic laminar body, but there were no other significant cytological differences seen among the neurons. Common to each of the neurons were the following synaptic features: (i) retinal terminals (r.l.p.) were mostly or entirely restricted to proximal dendrites or dendritic appendages (less than 100 microns from the soma). These terminals constituted about 15-25% of the synapses on the proximal dendrites. (ii) Terminals with flattened or pleomorphic synaptic vesicles (f. terminals) were predominant on the proximal dendrites (30-55% of the total synapses for that region) and were mainly located near the retinal terminals. A smaller percentage (10-20%) were also distributed onto the distal dendrites. (iii) Small terminals with round synaptic vesicles (r.s.d.), many presumably having a cortical origin, predominated (60-80%) on distal dendrites (greater than 100 microns), but also formed a large proportion (40-70%) of the synapses on the intermediate (50-150 microns) dendrites. Total synaptic contacts for one X-cell and one Y-cell were estimated at about 4000 and 5000, respectively. The major fine structural differences observed between X- and Y-cells were almost entirely related to the retinal afferents. First, the retinal synapses for X-cells were mostly made on to dendritic appendages (spines, etc.), whereas Y-cells had most of their retinal synapses onto the shafts of primary and proximal secondary dendrites (that is, near branch points. Second, the retinal terminals that contacted X-cell dendrites nearly always formed triadic arrangements that included nearby f. terminals, but those on Y-cells rarely did so. Finally, the main type of f. terminals associated with X-cells were morphologically different from most of those associated with the Y-cells, and this also related directly to the triadic arrangements; that is, f. terminals in the triadic arrangements were morphologically distinguishable from f. terminals that did not participate in triadic arrangements.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Reconstructions of corticogeniculate axons in the cat

The terminal arbors of corticofugal axons to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus in the cat were filled with horseradish peroxidase and then partially reconstructed through serial sections. The results demonstrate that these arbors are far more complex than was suspected from previous studies of axon segments in individual sections. These axons branch profusely and spread widely within the nucleus. Within laminae A and A1 the terminal arbor of a single axon can be more than 800 micron wide compared with retinogeniculate axons whose terminal arbors range in width from 100 to 410 micron (Sur and Sherman, '82).

Retinal synapses of the cat medial interlaminar nucleus and ventral lateral geniculate nucleus differ in size and synaptic organization

The retinal terminals of the medial interlaminar nucleus (MIN) and ventral lateral geniculate nucleus ( VLG ) have been examined quantitatively to determine if there are morphological differences in their synaptic ultrastructure which reflect their distinctive physiologies . The cross-sectional area and density (number per unit area) of synaptic contact zones with conventional and presynaptic dendrites (F2 profiles) were measured for each retinal terminal. The densities of F2 presynaptic dendrites and F1 flattened vesicle axon terminals were also measured. Retinal terminals in MIN were often large (mean size = 2.7 micron2 area) and had a high density of synaptic contacts (0.14 per micron surface area) with conventional dendrites, presynaptic dendrites, and dendritic spines. A high density of F2 presynaptic dendrites (0.08 per micron2 area) was found in MIN. F1 axon terminals were also found frequently (0.04 per micron2). MIN retinal terminals were often organized in glomeruli like those of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. The retinal terminals in VLG were almost always small (mean size = 0.94 micron2 area), although they also had a high density of synaptic contacts (0.17 per micron surface area). They frequently synapsed on small dendrites and dendritic spines and less frequently on large dendrites. Unlike MIN, retinal terminals in VLG rarely contacted F2 presynaptic dendrites which were much less frequent in VLG (0.01 per micron2 area). Like MIN, VLG contained numerous F1 axon terminals (0.06 per micron2 area). No typical retinal glomeruli were found in VLG . These results show that MIN, which contains many Y cells, has a population of large retinal terminals and many F2 presynaptic dendrites. VLG , which apparently has only W cells, contains only small retinal terminals and has fewer F2 presynaptic dendrites. Both have a high density of F1 flat vesicle axon terminals.

Asymmetric and symmetric synaptic junctions in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of cat and monkey

We have investigated the applicability of traditional classifications of synaptic junctions in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (DLGN) of the cat and monkey. Our principal sample is restricted to synapses made by the retinal terminal (round vesicles) in DLGN and to synapses made by flattened vesicle processes that were postsynaptic to the retinal terminal. We inspected consecutive thin sections through 250 synaptic junctions that showed clear synaptic clefts in every section. The thickness of the membrane and postsynaptic density (PSD) was measured on each section and an average thickness was computed for each synaptic junction. In both species the frequency distribution for these measurements forms an uninterrupted progression from the absence of a continuous PSD through the presence of a heavy density with most synaptic contacts falling in the midrange. Twenty-two of the round vesicle profiles and 40 of the flat vesicle profiles we studied had very modest densities (13-16 nm) and exhibited a continuous PSD on some sections, but only small puffs or a complete lack of density on others. We concluded that this group which constituted 25% of the synaptic contacts we studied could not be classified as asymmetric or symmetric. As a group the round vesicle synaptic junctions exhibited a heavier PSD than the flat vesicle contacts. The difference between the mean thickness in both species was statistically significant. However, we hesitate to describe the round vesicle synapses as asymmetric and the flat vesicle contacts as symmetric because such a large proportion of the former made synaptic contacts with a PSD thickness within the range of the latter.

Synaptology of retinal terminals in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat

We have made a fine structural investigation of the synaptic patterns made by axon terminals of retinal ganglion cells in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat. We compared the retinal input to dendritic processes that bear clusters of large appendages with the retinal input to relatively smooth dendritic segments that have only a few isolated spines. The study was restricted to the portion of laminae A and A1 that receive central visual field input. We were able to completely reconstruct 33 individual terminal boutons from long series of consecutive thin sections. Retinal terminals that were presynaptic to dendritic appendages tended to occupy the central position in the complex synaptic zones of geniculate fine structure called glomeruli. These terminals were surrounded by significantly more profiles than retinal terminals that were presynaptic to dendritic stems and averaged twice as many synaptic contacts per terminal bouton. The retinal input to dentritic appendages was heavily involved in a specific synaptic pattern called the triadic arrangement while retinal input to dendritic stems was only lightly involved in triads. Dendritic appendages in triads received greater synaptic input from profiles with flattened vesicles than did the dendritic stems that were found in triads.

Retinotectal terminals in the superior colliculus of the rabbit: a light and electron microscopic analysis

The projection from the retina to the controlateral superior colliculus was studied light and electron microscopically by means of anterogradely transported horseradish peroxidase and tetramethylbenzidine histochemistry as well as light microscopically by experimental degeneration and [3H]-leucine autoradiography. Labeled boutons were found in stratum zonale (SZ) and in stratum griseum superficiale (SGS), but not in stratum opticum (S0). The number of boutons was maximal in a narrow zone in SZ about 25 to 100 micron below the surface. The labeled boutons contained numerous round vesicles and predominantly pale mitochondria. They usually formed asymmetrical synapses and contacted dendrites or boutons. Occasionally, labeled boutons were observed whose cytological features were different from those generally associated with retinotectal axons. In general, labeled boutons in SZ contained fewer mitochondria than those from SGS. Labeled myelinated axons were found throughout SGS, in the lowest part of SZ, and in SO. In upper and middle SGS they were small while in lower SGS and SO also large fibers were found.

Patterns of synaptic contact upon individually labeled large cells of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat

Four large geniculate cells that were densely filled with horseradish peroxidase have been studied in detail, at first light microscopically, to define the shape and distribution of the dendritic arbors, and then electron microscopically, to define the pattern of synaptic contacts upon their surfaces. Three of the cells had the morphological characteristics of a class 1 cell, and one cell was intermediate between class 1 and 2. All of these cells had few of the characteristic grape-like appendages, thought to receive retinal input within synaptic glomeruli. Retinal afferents were mainly distributed around proximal juxtasomatic dendritic segments and dendritic branch points. Some retinal afferents made simple axodendritic contacts, while others formed a part of a synaptic glomerulus. None of the retinal afferents forming synapses near the perikaryon were involved in glomeruli. Within the glomeruli involving class 1 cells, retinal terminals can relate both to dendritic segments, particularly near branch points, as well as to dendritic appendages. The few singly placed grape-like appendages were always contacted by retinal afferents, but not necessarily in a glomerular arrangement. Terminals interpreted as cortico-geniculate were seen most commonly upon peripheral dendritic segments, while those containing pleomorphic vesicles (F) were distributed more or less evenly over all parts of the dendritic and perikaryal surface. The perikaryon itself was contacted by F-type terminals but was not contacted by retino-geniculate or cortico-geniculate terminals. A class of slender axonal terminal, containing round synaptic vesicles and few or no mitochondria, was found contacting two of the four perikarya, but the origin of these slender axons is unknown. It is concluded that the surfaces of geniculate class 1 cells can be separated into several functionally distinct zones on the basis of the synaptic contacts they receive.

Spatial contrast sensitivities of X and Y type neurones in the cat's dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus

The discharges of X and Y type neurones were recorded extracellularly from the binocular segment of the A laminae of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of anaesthetized, paralysed cats. X type geniculate cells are referred to as XG cells and Y type geniculate cells as YG cells. They were differentiated on the basis of a test of linear spatial summation and the relatively higher spatial resolution of the XG type. Contrast sensitivities of these cells were measured for a series of spatial frequencies at 5.2 Hz. Sensitivity measurements took account of the variability inherent in the cells' maintained discharges. Maintained discharges of XG and YG cells were found to be similarly noisy and the level of noise was stable in the time range of seconds to hours. The noise level was greater than in corresponding ganglion cells, suggesting that an extra source of noise is added at the geniculate level. The criterion set routinely to measure 'threshold' contrast corresponded to a level of reliability of about two false positives in fifty. YG cells had higher contrast sensitivities at low spatial frequencies and XG at high. YG cells were found also to have higher peak sensitivities. The optimum spatial frequency of XG cells was found to be higher than that of YG cells. YG cells also show less attenuation in contrast sensitivity for gratings of spatial frequencies below their optima. Contrast sensitivities of both XG and YG cells were found to be lower than those of corresponding ganglion cells. The optimum spatial frequencies and spatial resolutions of XG and YG cells decreased as the retinal eccentricities of their receptive fields increased. XG cells were found to have higher spatial resolution in lamina A than lamina A1. No difference was found between on- and off-centre types of either cell class. Although individual YG cells are more sensitive to low spatial frequencies than individual XG cells, the ensemble of XG cells of one centre-type which overlaps a particular YG cell receptive field of the same centre-type has a contrast sensitivity at optimum spatial frequency very close to that of the YG cell. This leads one to believe that XG cells could by themselves account for the contrast sensitivity of the cat's visual system.

Cortico-Darkschewitsch-olivary projection in the cat: an electron microscope study with the aid of horseradish peroxidase tracing technique

The nucleus of Darkschewitsch (ND) of the cat was observed electron microscopically after surgical ablation of the motor cortex and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injection into the inferior olive of the same animals. Degenerated axon terminals containing pleomorphic synaptic vesicles were observed to synapse chiefly with medium-sized or small dendritic processes, some of which were labeled with HRP retrogradely. Therefore, a cortico-olivary projection which was relayed at the ND was revealed at an ultrastructural level.

A Golgi study of the opossum ventral basal complex

The morphology of neurons in the ventral basal complex (VBC) of the adult opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is described from thick coronal brain sections, using Golgi-, horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-, and Nissl-staining methods. Soma cross-sectional area, dendritic field shape, and the number of appendages (spines) in a defined major branch zone (MBZ) are quantified and statistically analyzed. Results indicate that neurons in opossum VBC have relatively large cell bodies, dendrites which branch in a tufted pattern, and numerous dendritic appendages. These neurons are designated as relay cells because of (1) their tufted dendritic branch patterns, considered characteristic of thalamic relay cells (Ramon-Moliner, '62), and (2) the similarity of their soma sizes with HRP-labeled somata after somatosensory cortical injections. Neurons with traditionally described interneuron morphology do not appear to be present in the VBC of this animal, and, in this respect, the neuronal morphology of opossum VBC is similar to that in rat (McAllister and Wells, '81). Based on statistical analysis of the structural features observed, the presumed relay cells in opossum VBC do not show significant differences in morphology, and consequently are not subdivided into classes. Opossum VBC neurons are recognized as forming a single category in which broad and continuous variations in morphology are indicated. Recognition of a singular class of relay cell is consistent with descriptions for rat and cat VBC (Scheibel and Scheibel, '66), but at variance with a previous report for the primate Galago VBC (Pearson and Haines, '80) subdividing thalamic relay cells into Types I, II, and intermediate categories.

Corticotectal terminals in the superior colliculus of the rabbit: a light- and electron microscopic analysis using horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)

The projection from the striate cortex to the superior colliculus was studied light- and electron microscopically by means of anterogradely transported horseradish peroxidase and tetramethylbenzidine histochemistry. Labeled boutons were found in the stratum zonale (SZ) and in the stratum griseum superficiale (SGS), not in stratum opticum (SO). There are two maxima of frequency of labeled boutons, one in middle SGS at about 500 microns depth, and a smaller one in upper SGS at about 200 microns depth. Such a bimodal distribution of corticotectal terminals has not been described in any species before. Labeled myelinated axons were found in SGS and SO with a maximal frequency in middle SGS at about 400 microns depth. The myelinated axons in SZ, which are commonly considered to be of cortical origin, were not labeled. The labeled cortical terminals contained numerous round synaptic vesicles and predominantly dark mitochondria. They formed usually asymmetrical synapses and contacted dendrites, some of which contained synaptic vesicles. Occasionally, labeled boutons were observed which definitely did not belong to the type that is generally considered to be of cortical origin.

Postnatal maturation of neurons in the cat's lateral geniculate nucleus

The maturation of dendrites in the cat's dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus was studied in Golgi Kopsch preparations of kittens from 3 days to 8 weeks postnatal. During the first postnatal week, more than a month after their birthdate, cells are immature and lack dendrites, bearing only multiple somatic processes or a few short thick extensions. Cells enter an active phase of dendritic extension during the second postnatal week. Growth cone-like structures and filopodia occur at the ends of dendrites and also at dendritic branch points. Assignment to general cell classes based on dendritic disposition is possible only after this period, and characteristic grapelike appendages are obvious after the third week. Mature cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus are not considered spiny, yet spines and hairs are ubiquitous on most cells once dendrites elongate and remain numerous on peripheral dendrites even after the soma and proximal dendrites become smooth, by 4-6 weeks. The decline of spine levels continues after this period. All cells go through a similar but nonsynchronous sequence of maturation. Large cells may mature first, but no correlation was noted between rate of maturation and laminar location or retinal representation. In the second and third postnatal weeks, although the terminal arbors of retinal axons presynaptic to geniculate cells have already attained their final topography and laminar placement, the shape and synaptic relations of axon terminal swellings remain immature (Mason, '82a,b) through the most active phase of dendritic outgrowth. After 3 weeks, both retinal axons and target geniculate cell dendrites finalize the shapes of characteristics appendages and synaptic relations in tandem. Potential interactions between immature axon terminal arbors and dendrite-bare geniculate cells during dendrite outgrowth and subsequent remodeling of structural details are discussed.

Variations in the retinal synapses of the cat superior colliculus revealed using quantitative electron microscope autoradiography

This study has examined the retinal synapses of the cat superior colliculus using electron microscope autoradiography and morphometric techniques. The depth of each retinal synapse was measured using a computer-based EM plotter. The area, perimeter, and synapse contact density of selected synapses were calculated using a computer-based digitizer. Pale mitochondria were found to be an accurate cytological marker of retinal input to the colliculus. Fifty-eight percent of pale mitochondria terminals were labeled in the colliculus contralateral to eye injections. Ten percent of pale mitochondria terminals were labeled in the ipsilateral colliculus. A few labeled terminals contained dark mitochondria. The labeled retinal terminals in the contralateral colliculus were concentrated in a 60 microns wide dense band at the top of the superficial gray layer. They were also found within the deep superficial gray and upper optic layers. This distribution corresponded exactly to a larger population of pale mitochondria terminals. The cross-sectional area and synaptic contact density of selected pale mitochondria terminals varied with depth. Within the upper superficial gray, the terminals were small (mean area = 1.26 microns squared) and had high contact densities (mean = 0.25 per microns). These small terminals were also found deeper within the colliculus. Below the upper subdivision of the superficial gray, some labeled terminals were much larger and had lower contact densities. These results suggest there may be two subpopulations of retinal terminal in the cat superior colliculus: (1) small terminals with scalloped contours and complex synaptic relationships which may correspond to W-type input; and (2) larger terminals with simpler synaptic relationships which are distributed deeper and may correspond to Y-type input.

The morphology of corticofugal axons to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus in the cat

The structural features of corticogeniculate axons were studied in adult cats after labeling them with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Injections of HRP into the optic radiations near the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus result in Golgi-like filling of both geniculate relay neurons and corticogeniculate axons. In the present material at least two main types of axons could be defined. The most common type is called the type I axon because it so closely resembles the type I axons described by Guillery ('66, '67) in Golgi preparations. These fine axons have smooth surfaces and consistent fiber diameter. Most terminal swellings are at the ends of short collateral branches and these swellings form asymmetric synaptic contacts onto small and medium-sized dendrites. Type I axons typically innervate more than one lamina as well as interlaminar zones and they clearly arise from the cerebral cortex. The second type of axon is called the beaded axon because of its numerous swellings, en passant. These swellings frequently are larger than those on type I axons and they differ from previously described corticogeniculate axon terminals in their ultrastructural features. That is, their synaptic contacts appear symmetrical and they form axosomatic contacts. Because of these differences, the possibility that beaded axons are of subcortical origin, particularly from the perigeniculate nucleus, is discussed. When type I axons and geniculate relay neurons are filled in the same region of the nucleus it is possible to identify probable sites of synaptic contact by using the light microscope. Such analyses indicate that corticogeniculate axons synapse directly onto relay cells, primarily on peripheral dendritic branches. Further, it appears that single axons contact many geniculate neurons and that single neurons are contacted by many axons.

Neural elements containing glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the rat; immunohistochemical studies by light and electron microscopy

Immunoreactive constituents of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of adult albino rats were examined by light- and electron-microscopy, using the unlabelled antibody enzyme method, following treatment of brain slices with a purified antibody to glutamic acid decarboxylase. The neuropil of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus displayed a conspicuous granular immunoreactivity. In addition, the antibody was bound to a class of small neurons of characteristic morphology. These cells possessed few (commonly 2-4) sparsely branched, long dendrites from some of which immunoreactive appendages were traced. Many cells were bipolar in form, and the dendrites of some appeared to be preferentially orientated. The immunoreactive cells closely resembled intrinsic interneurons characterized in previous Golgi studies of this nucleus. By electron-microscopy, immunoreactive presynaptic elements were present both in the extraglomerular neuropil and in the synaptic glomeruli. The former were axon terminals containing flattened synaptic vesicles and making Gray type II axo-dendritic synaptic contact; they appeared to correspond to axon terminals whose origin in the thalamic reticular nucleus has been established in previous studies, but it is possible that some were axon terminals of intrinsic interneurons. The immunoreactive glomerular components also contained flattened vesicles, were presynaptic to presumptive projection cell dendrites, postsynaptic to retinal axon terminals, and participated in triplet (triadic) and other complex synaptic arrangements. They corresponded in all respects to the synaptic portions of the complex dendritic appendages of intrinsic interneurons, identified and characterized in previous studies. The finding that there are high levels of glutamic acid decarboxylase in the cell bodies, dendritic shafts and dendritic appendages of intrinsic interneurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the rat, and in the axon terminals of fibres projecting to this site from the thalamic reticular nucleus, allows us to conclude that the inhibitory inputs to the geniculo-cortical projection cells from both of these sources are probably mediated by gamma-aminobutyric acid.

An electron microscopic comparison of the medial interlaminar nucleus and the A laminae in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat

The medial interlaminar nucleus (MIN) of the cat's dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus was studied under the light and electron microscopes and compared with the A laminae. At the light level, MIN has more axons and a lesser cell packing density than the A laminae. Examined at the electron microscopic level, MIN could not qualitatively be distinguished from the A laminae. When quantitative counts of the profiles containing synaptic vesicles were made, MIN had less F profiles and more RSD profiles per unit area than the A laminae. Structure/function correlations suggest that additional F terminals may mediate nondominant eye inhibition and/or a greater amount of inhibition on X-cells versus Y-cells.

The fine structure of the perigeniculate nucleus in the cat

The fine structure of the cat's perigeniculate nucleus has been analyzed and compared to that of dorsal thalamic relay nuclei. Golgi preparations and electron micrographs of perigeniculate cells commonly show somatic spines. The most common presynaptic elements for these spines and for the adjacent perikaryal surfaces are relatively large axon terminals containing round synaptic vesicles and making multiple asymmetric contacts. These "RLD" terminals (so termed for their round vesicles, large average size of the terminals, and dark mitochondria) are also presynaptic to dendritic spines and shafts of proximal and secondary dendrites. Comparisons with adjacent parts of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus show that these RLD terminals are cytologically distinct from retinogeniculate terminals and that small numbers of RLD terminals also occur in the geniculate A laminae. Three other major classes of perigeniculate synaptic terminals, resemble major classes of terminals in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. These include two types of terminal with flat or ovoid synaptic vesicles and dark mitochondria, "FD1" and "FD2" terminals, and a class of small terminal with densely clustered round vesicles and dark mitochondria, "RSD" terminals. RSD terminals, which resemble corticogeniculate axon terminals, represent the only class of perigeniculate terminal that does not contact perikarya. FD2 terminals resemble lateral geniculate presynaptic dendrites and participate in serial and triadic synaptic contacts, being both pre- and postsynaptic; however, in contrast to the arrangement characteristic of thalamic relay nuclei, these contacts do not occur within synaptic glomeruli. A fifth major class of perigeniculate presynaptic terminal has large flat or polymorphic synaptic vesicles and pale mitochondria. These "FP" terminals are seen infrequently in the lateral geniculate A laminae. Similarities between perigeniculate and lateral geniculate fine structure may relate in part to common sources of afferent input to the two nuclei.

Neuronal and synaptic organization of the lateral geniculate nucleus of the tree shrew, Tupaia glis

The ultrastructural study of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the tree shrew (Tupaia glis) revealed two types of neurons: (1) a large thalamocortical relay cell (TCR), which may bear cilia, and (2) a small Golgi type-II interneuron (IN) with an invaginated nucleus. The narrow rim of pale cytoplasm of the IN contains fewer lysosomes and fewer Nissl bodies than the cytoplasm of the TCR. The IN perikarya, which in some cases establish somatosomatic contacts, frequently contain flattened or pleomorphic synaptic vesicles. The ratio of TCR to IN is 3:1. Three types of axon terminals were observed in the LGN. Two of them contain round synaptic vesicles but differ in size. The large RL boutons undergo dark degeneration after enucleation; they are the terminals of retino-geniculate fibers. The smaller RS boutons show dark degeneration after ablation of the visual cortex; they are the terminals of the cortico-geniculate fibers. The third type of bouton (F1) does not degenerate after either intervention. The boutons of this type are filled with flattened vesicles and are believed to be intrageniculate terminals. F2-profiles were interpreted as presynaptic dendrites of the IN. The characteristic synaptic glomeruli found in the LGN contain in their center an optic terminal. These optic terminals establish synaptic contacts with dendrites or spine-like dendritic protrusions of TCRs as well as with presynaptic dendrites. Synaptic triads were also seen. The distribution of the individual types of synaptic contacts in layers 3 and 4 were determined. Layer 4 contains only one third of the retino-geniculate synapses and of the synaptic contacts of F1-terminals.

Development of terminal arbors of retino-geniculate axons in the kitten--II. Electron microscopical observations

Individual retino-geniculate axon arbors from kittens of 1 to 8 postnatal weeks were densely filled with horseradish peroxidase. The light-microscopical appearance of various types of immature growing tips was correlated with their synaptic relations as seen in the electron-microscope. During the first 2 postnatal weeks, the broad irregular bases of spray-like terminal extensions as well as foliate growth-cone-like terminals contain the round synaptic vesicles and pale mitochondria characteristic of adult retinal terminals. They form elementary glomerular arrangements in which they are the central profile synapsing with dendritic profiles. Many postsynaptic profiles contain large electron-lucent vesicles characteristic of growing neurites, whereas the immature retinal terminations do not. The more numerous finger-like growing tips also contain round synaptic vesicles and make short en passage contacts onto dendrites and outgrowths of perikarya of geniculate cells. The latter type of contact is not seen in the adult. After 3 weeks, retinal terminals are larger and make contacts in distinctly glomerular arrangements. Glial sheaths are evident for the first time. By 6-8 weeks, the terminals which appear crenulated in the light-microscope are always the central profile in a mature glomerulus. Smaller rounder terminals make simple axo-dendritic contacts as in the adult. The few immature terminal structures seen at 8 weeks also contain synaptic vesicles, but their contacts are not adult-like, nor are their synaptic arrangements entirely surrounded by glia. These findings, along with those of the previous paper, demonstrate that (a) many retino-geniculate terminals establish synaptic contacts long before attaining their adult form; (b) during the period optimal for induction of translaminar axon sprouting (1-2 weeks postnatal), only a few immature terminal forms participate in elementary glomeruli; (c) the decreasing malleability of these axons after 3 weeks is accompanied by an increase in crenulated terminals that enter glomeruli surrounded by glial sheaths. It is suggested that ensheathing of synaptic arrangements by astrocytic glia may be one factor which subsequently impedes axon sprouting in older animals.

Inhibition of axoplasmic transport in the developing visual system of the rat-III. Electron microscopy and Golgi studies of retino-fugal synapses and post-synaptic neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus

Quantitative light and electron microscopy, together with Golgi methodology, were used to study alterations in retino-fugal terminals and postsynaptic neurons within the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the rat at various intervals following inhibition of axoplasmic transport in the optic nerve induced by intraocular injections of colchicine from 1-20 days postnatal. Colchicine concentrations used in this study ranged from 10-5 M-10-2 M. These were selected on the basis of our measurements of axon transport suppression described in the preceding article. 61. The volume of the nucleus was determined by section planimetry and reconstruction. Growth of the contralateral dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus was significantly retarded by intraocular colchicine at 1 and 5 days of age, only achieving a volume of between 61-75% of the normal or the control (ipsilateral) nucleus depending upon dosage. Application of colchicine at 10 days of age resulted in minimal stunting of nuclear growth, (79-93% of normal). Mean numbers of neurons in the contralateral and ipsilateral nucleus remained stable throughout all postnatal ages examined suggesting that nuclear volume loss was caused principally by a reduction in the amount of neuropil. Golgi impregnation displayed dendritic stunting in relay neurons characterized by narrowing of the portion of the shaft between 40-80 micrometer from the soma and a reduced incidence of spinous protrusions, particularly those shown by other studies to engage the retino-fungal terminal. 27,69 A concomitant Sholl76 analysis of dendritic branching in relay neurons demonstrated no significant differences in the number of intersections between normal and experimental nuclei. No alterations were observed in intrinsic neurons. Electron microscopy of postsynaptic neurons following concentrations ranging from 10-4 M at birth revealed altered patterns of granular endoplasmic reticulum in many cells characterized by reduced numbers of cisternae and scattered instances of cisternal dilation, together with enhanced infolding of the nuclear membrane at 20 days postnatal. Those animals which were given 5 X 10-3 M-10-2 M colchicine demonstrated an increased incidence of cisternal dilation, loss of ribosomes, disruption of the nuclear membrane and occasionally, complete degeneration. A similar array of alterations took place following intraocular injection at 5 days of age; however, animals receiving colchicine at 10 days postnatal displayed minimal alterations in relay neurons. Synaptic glomeruli, which contain the retinofugal terminal, displayed dose and age-dependent reduction in the size of the presynaptic element of the complex following intraocular colchicine, together with fewer post-synaptic spinous protrusions. Synaptic vesicles remained normal in appearance and distribution and our quantitative analysis demonstrated no loss of such terminals in accordance with colchicine concentrations which were previously found not to be lethal to retinal ganglion cells and optic axons.

Identification and distribution of retinocollicular terminals in the cat: an electron microscopic autoradiographic analysis

The electron microscopic (EM) autoradiographic method has been used to determine the size, distribution, and ultrastructure of retinocollicular axon terminals following intraocular injection of either (3H)-leucine or (3H)-proline. In the contralateral colliculus, retinal terminals are most numerous in the uppermost sublamina of the superficial grey, SGS1. The mean diameter of terminals in the contralateral SGS1 and SGS2 is 1.3 micron +/- 0.33, and 1.45 micron +/- 0.37, respectively. The mean diameter of terminals in the deepest contralateral sublamina, SGS3 (1.85 micron +/- 0.62), is significantly larger than the mean diameter of those in the contralateral SGS1 or SGS2. By contrast, the mean diameter of terminals in different sublayers of the ipsilateral superficial grey is relatively constant, ranging from 1.56 micron +/- 0.45 to 1.63 micron +/- 0.60. Most ipsilateral retinal terminals are located in the uppermost part of SGS2. It is postulated that there are two populations of retinal terminals in the superficial grey: a population of smaller terminals present in the contralateral SGS1 and SGS2, and a population of larger terminals present in the contralateral SGS3. Both populations appear to be present in the ipsilateral sublaminae. While all labeled retinocollicular terminals contain round vesicles and asymmetric membrane thickenings, two morphological features appear to be correlated with retinal terminal size: (1) the population of smaller retinal terminals more frequently contacts postsynaptic profiles containing scattered round vesicles; and (2) large, dense-core vesicles are more commonly associated with the presynaptic profiles of the population of larger terminals. A comparison of these morphological findings with available physiological data (Hoffman, '73; Fukuda and Stone, '74; McIlwain and Lufkin, '76 McIlwain, '78) suggests that the smaller terminals may be those of W-retinal ganglion cells, and the larger terminals those of Y-retinal ganglion cells.

Quantitative analysis of axodendritic and axosomatic collateral terminals of two feline spinocervical tract cells

The initial axon collaterals of two feline spinocervical tract cells have been ultrastructurally investigated after intracellular injection with horseradish peroxidase. A total of 200 axodendritic and 43 axosomatic terminals were analysed in serial section. The following variables were measured: the diameter and area of the bouton profiles, the areal densities of synaptic vesicles and mitochondria of the bouton profiles, the width and length of the synaptic clefts, the width of the postsynaptic densities, the width of the postsynaptic dendrites, and the width and length of axons between the boutons. Ten boutons were reconstructed for an investigation of the relation between measurements in two and three dimensions. All the measured variables showed wide ranges of variation. They were analysed statistically for significant differences between the cells and between the axodendritic and axosomatic boutons of each and both cells. Significant differences were mainly observed in the former comparison but they were also found between the axodendritic and axosomatic terminals of the individual cells.

Electron microscopic identification of axon terminals of retinopretectal fibers in the cat by a combined horseradish peroxidase and tritiated amino acids tracing method

The terminal nucleus of the optic tract in the pretectum was observed electron microscopically in the cat after intravitreous injection of a mixture of HRP and tritriated amino acids. Autoradiographic silver grains, and often also HRP granules, were seen in large axon terminals containing round synaptic vesicles and pale mitochondria. These terminals occasionally made synaptic contracts with the presynaptic dendrites and were involved in the formation of the synaptic triad.

Abnormal axonal growth in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat

Retino-geniculate axons in the cat were induced to grow abnormally by cutting one optic nerve in kittens. Surviving optic tract axons that had grown into the denervated regions were then filled in the adults with horseradish peroxidase to reveal the terminal arbors of individual axons. Two types of abnormal axonal growth are described--translaminar growth and monocular segment growth. Translaminar growth is the most common and occurs between laminae in the binocular part to the nucleus. Axons giving rise to translaminar growth do not branch as they pass through the denervated regions of the nucleus. Instead, the abnormal branches originate from portions of the terminal arbor within the normal target lamina. These axons look like normal retino-geniculate axons in terms of their branching patterns, cytological features, and patterns of synaptic contacts except that parts of their terminal arbors have expanded to innervate inappropriate laminae. The distribution of translaminar branches overlaps the distribution of a restricted group of surviving large neurons that have not undergone denervation atrophy. Monocular segment growth invades the lateral pole of the nucleus directly from the optic tract. These branches arise from axons passing through or near the denervated region and appear to represent the formation of new terminal arbors. The synaptic swellings arising from these branches have cytological features like the synaptic swellings arising from translaminar branches and they form similar patterns of synaptic contacts. However, monocular segment branches degenerate more rapidly when damaged and they are not associated with surviving large neurons.

Ontophyletics of the nervous system: eyeless mutants illustrate how ontogenetic buffer mechanisms channel evolution

Genetics and molecular biology have shown the mechanisms that allow the genome to provide both the continuity and the variation from generation to generation within a phylogeny. Embryology and developmental biology show the mechanisms that turn the genome into an organism. Mutations, the basis for evolutionary change, cannot in themselves ensure concordance between their products and the products of unchanged genes. Thus, mutations will not necessarily produce a viable organism. On the other hand, ontogenetic buffer mechanisms normally maintain concordance in the developing organism. In addition, ontogenetic buffer mechanisms can integrate discordant mutations into viable organisms that can then be perpetuated during evolution. The evolutionary role of one ontogenetic buffer mechanism, compensatory innervation, is well illustrated in the anopthalmic mutant mouse. In the anopthalmic mouse, a single gene mutation removes afferent axons of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, and compensatory innervation by another population of axons ensures that the dorsal lateral geniculate remains integrated into the central nervous system. Within each organism's ontogeny is a hierarchy of sources of compensatory innervation, and this hierarchy will determine how any particular deafferentating mutation will be buffered. In this way, an ontogeny can channel the phylogeny of which it is a member.

A quantitative electron-microscopical study of the postnatal development of the lateral geniculate nucleus in normal kittens and in kittens with eyelid suture

The postnatal development of the lateral geniculate nucleus has been studied quantitatively with the electron microscope in normal kittens and in kittens with eyelid closure. The maturation of the synaptic organization of glomeruli in the normal kitten occurs during the period of susceptibility to eyelid closure and is due predominantly to a logarithmic increase in the number of symmetric presynaptic dendritic synapses. In contrast, the proportion of symmetric synapses falls with age in non-glomerular neuropil over this period. Unilateral and bilateral eyelid suture do not interfere with the normal development of the lateral geniculate nucleus.

An electron-microscopical study of the postnatal development of the lateral geniculate nucleus in the normal kitten and after eyelid suture

The postnatal development of the lateral geniculate nucleus has been studied qualitatively with the electron microscope in normal kittens and in kittens with unilateral or bilateral eyelid closure. From birth to about 20 days there is relatively little development and the ultrastructural features characteristic of the adult cat, especially the synaptic organization of glomeruli, are mainly acquired between 40 and 55 days, when there is a rapid increase in the level of maturity. Unilateral and bilateral eyelid suture have virtually no effect upon the normal development, but some neurons in the deprived laminae have slightly less granular endoplasmic reticulum.

Neurons in cat lateral geniculate nucleus that concentrate exogenous [3H]-gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

About one-quarter of the neurons in the A-laminae of the cat lateral geniculate selectively accumulate exogenous [3H]-gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), its analog, [3H]-2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DABA), and the GABA agonist, [3H] muscimol. These neurons are small (12-18 micrometers diameter) and lack a laminar body, which suggests that they correspond to the class III cell identified in Golgi material. GABA and DABA are also accumulated by F-terminals which are post-synaptic to retinal terminals and presynaptic to relay cell dendrites. It is suggested that GABA may be the transmitter for these small neurons which appear to mediate by means of local circuits a feed-forward inhibition onto the relay cells.