A revised cytoarchitectonic map of the neocortex of the rabbit (oryctolagus cuniculus)

Dataset on c-Fos expression within components of corticostriatal thalamocortical circuits during the expression of a compulsive-like behavior in the female rabbit: Brain-behavior relationships

The dataset describes regional brain c-Fos expression and a component of maternal nest building behavior ("straw carrying") in 5 late term pregnant rabbits that had been allowed to interact with straw (a nest building material) for a discrete period (30 min), during which repetitive straw carrying behavior was initiated. Animals were sacrificed for brain c-Fos immunoreactivity 1 h after straw was placed into their cage. Regional brain c-Fos expression: Neuronal c-Fos expression is known to associate with a sustained increase in neuronal excitation above resting levels, primarily due to its induction in response to increased glutamatergic input and corresponding activation of the NMDA receptor. In practice, c-Fos expression is taken to be an indication of an increase in "neuronal activity". Importantly, there is a lag of approximately 20 to 30 min between the onset of the stimulus that caused increased excitation, and the initiation of neuronal c-Fos expression, and c-Fos has a cellular half-life of approximately 1 h. Thus, the pattern of brain c-Fos expression within a brain histological section represents a composite snapshot of "superimposed" regional activations that occurred within approximately 30 min to 2 h prior to sacrifice. Behavioral variables: Behavioral variables included in the present dataset are those that reflect the repetitive nature of straw carrying (straw carrying cycle frequency), as well as individual subcomponents of this behavior (collecting straw, interacting with the nest site), and indicators of the "rigidity" of expression of these subcomponents across all cycle repetitions (standard deviations of time spent collecting straw, time spent interacting with nest site). Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) with cluster rotation was applied in an exploratory manner in order to clarify correlational relationships between regional c-Fos expression and specific behavioral variables.

Differential responsivity of neurons in perirhinal cortex, lateral entorhinal cortex, and dentate gyrus during time-bridging learning

Many studies have focused on the function of hippocampal region CA1 as a critical site for associative memory, but much less is known about changes in the afferents to CA1. Here we report the activity of multiple single neurons from perirhinal and entorhinal cortex and from dentate gyrus during trace eyeblink conditioning as well as consolidated recall, and in pseudo-conditioned control rabbits. We also report an analysis of theta activity filtered from the local field potential (LFP). Our results show early associative changes in single-neuron firing rate as well as theta oscillations in lateral entorhinal cortex (EC) and dentate gyrus (DG), and increases in the number of responsive neurons in perirhinal cortex. In both EC and DG, a subset of neurons from conditioned animals exhibited an elevated baseline firing rate and large responses to the conditioned stimulus and trace period. A similar population of cells has been seen in DG and in medial, but not lateral, EC during spatial tasks, suggesting that lateral EC contains cells responsive to a temporal associative task. In contrast to recent studies in our laboratory that found significant CA1 contributions to long-term memory, the activity profiles of neurons within EC and DG were similar for conditioned and pseudoconditioned rabbits during post-consolidation sessions. Collectively these results demonstrate that individual subregions of medial temporal lobe differentially support new and remotely acquired memories. Neuron firing profiles were similar on training trials when conditioned responses were and were not exhibited, demonstrating that these temporal lobe regions represent the CS-US association and do not control the behavioral response. The analysis of theta activity revealed that theta power was modulated by the conditioning stimuli in both the conditioned and pseudoconditioned groups and that although both groups exhibited a resetting of phase to the corneal airpuff, only the conditioned group exhibited a resetting of phase to the whisker conditioned stimulus.

Activation of cortical and striatal regions during the expression of a naturalistic compulsive-like behavior in the rabbit

Nest building behavior in the pregnant rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) can serve as a model for compulsions in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Previous work showed that the "straw carrying" phase of nest building (during which the rabbit repeatedly collects straw in its mouth, carries it into the nest box and deposits it there, and then returns to collect more) is associated with increased c-FOS expression (a marker of neuronal activity) in the orbitofrontal, anterior cingulate, and piriform cortices. In the present study, we quantified c-FOS expression in the caudate and putamen, as well as in the primary motor, somatosensory, and prefrontal cortices of: (1) pregnant rabbits given straw (PREG + STRAW); pregnant rabbits not given straw (PREG); (3) estrous rabbits given straw (ESTROUS + STRAW); and (4) estrous rabbits not given straw (ESTROUS). We found that straw carrying was associated with increased c-FOS expression in the dorsal putamen, ventral caudate, primary motor cortex, and somatosensory cortex. Additionally, a correlational analysis of PREG + STRAW animals revealed that these regions, along with the premotor and prelimbic cortices, were significantly intercorrelated with respect to c-FOS expression, suggesting their "coactivation" during repetitive straw carrying. By contrast, behavioral interactions of non-pregnant (ESTROUS) rabbits with straw (e.g., sniffing, nibbling it) were associated with a distinct pattern of c-FOS expression that included the medial and ventral putamen. c-FOS expression in PREG + STRAW rabbits is similar to patterns of regional brain activity in OCD patients exposed to obsession-provoking stimuli, as well as to those observed in healthy human mothers responding to infant-associated stimuli.

Visual Interhemispheric and Striate-Extrastriate Cortical Connections in the Rabbit: A Multiple Tracer Study

Previous studies in rabbits identified an array of extrastriate cortical areas anatomically connected with V1 but did not describe their internal topography. To address this issue, we injected multiple anatomical tracers into different regions in V1 of the same animal and analyzed the topography of resulting extrastriate labeled fields with reference to the patterns of callosal connections and myeloarchitecture revealed in tangential sections of the flattened cortex. Our results extend previous studies and provide further evidence that rabbit extrastriate areas resemble the visual areas in rats and mice not only in their general location with respect to V1 but also in their internal topography. Moreover, extrastriate areas in the rabbit maintain a constant relationship with myeloarchitectonic borders and features of the callosal pattern. These findings highlight the rabbit as an alternative model to rats and mice for advancing our understanding of cortical visual processing in mammals, especially for projects benefiting from a larger brain.

Architectonic mapping of the medial region of the human orbitofrontal cortex by density profiles

The study of architectonic differentiation in the cortex is advanced by the articulation of objective definitions based on clear features of the cortical architecture. We adopted areal density profiles as a means of sampling the cortex. On the profiles, we isolated and quantified the density of individual cortical layers. These features may serve as criteria in objective definitions in a way that builds on qualitative observations found in the classical literature. A preprocessing procedure was introduced to overcome artefacts in the density profiles caused by the partial overlap of neighboring neuronal layers and cortical folding. We applied this method to the medial half of the orbital frontal cortex in specimens drawn from 10 human postmortem brain hemispheres. The measurements successfully confirmed the existence of several qualitatively observed areas (architectonic areas 14c, 14r, 11m, 11 and 13). The selection of specific sampling parameters was justified on the basis of simultaneous measurements of the cortical morphology which demonstrate its influence on the appearance of the cortical layers. We also examined the robustness of the measuring procedure by analyzing the outcome of varying systematically the sampling parameters. We describe here a novel method of sampling the cortex for architectonic analysis and demonstrate its application on histological sections obtained from the medial half of the human orbitofrontal cortex.

Connections of the caudal anterior cingulate cortex in rabbit: neural circuitry participating in the acquisition of trace eyeblink conditioning

The caudal anterior cingulate cortex (cAC) is an essential component of the circuitry involved in acquisition of forebrain-dependent trace eyeblink conditioning. Lesions of the cAC prevent trace eyeblink conditioning [Weible AP, McEchron MD, Disterhoft JF (2000) Cortical involvement in acquisition and extinction of trace eyeblink conditioning. Behav Neurosci 114(6):1058-1067]. The patterns of activation of cAC neurons recorded in vivo suggest an attentional role for this structure early in training [Weible AP, Weiss C, Disterhoft JF (2003) Activity profiles of single neurons in caudal anterior cingulate cortex during trace eyeblink conditioning in the rabbit. J Neurophysiol 90(2):599-612]. The goal of the present study was to identify connections of the portion of the rabbit cAC previously demonstrated to be involved in trace eyeblink conditioning, using the neuronal tract tracer wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase, to better understand how the cAC contributes to the process of associative learning. Reciprocal connections with the claustrum provide a route for the transfer of sensory information between the cAC and neocortical and allocortical regions also involved in learning. Connections with components of the basal forebrain cholinergic system are described, with relevance to the proposed attentional role of the cAC. Reciprocal and unidirectional connections were in evidence in multiple thalamic regions, including the medial dorsal nucleus, which have been implicated in a variety of conditioning paradigms. Anterograde connections with the caudate and lateral pontine nuclei provide access to forebrain motor and brainstem sensory circuitry, respectively. The relevance of these connections to acquisition of the trace conditioned reflex is discussed.

Rabbit forebrain cholinergic system: morphological characterization of nuclei and distribution of cholinergic terminals in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus

Although the rabbit brain, in particular the basal forebrain cholinergic system, has become a common model for neuropathological changes associated with Alzheimer's disease, detailed neuroanatomical studies on the morphological organization of basal forebrain cholinergic nuclei and on their output pathways are still awaited. Therefore, we performed quantitative choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunocytochemistry to localize major cholinergic nuclei and to determine the number of respective cholinergic neurons in the rabbit forebrain. The density of ChAT-immunoreactive terminals in layer V of distinct neocortical territories and in hippocampal subfields was also measured. Another cholinergic marker, the low-affinity neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)), was also employed to identify subsets of cholinergic neurons. Double-immunofluorescence labeling of ChAT and p75(NTR), calbindin D-28k (CB), parvalbumin, calretinin, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), tyrosine hydroxylase, or substance P was used to elucidate the neuroanatomical borders of cholinergic nuclei and to analyze the neurochemical complexity of cholinergic cell populations. Cholinergic projection neurons with heterogeneous densities were found in the medial septum, vertical and horizontal diagonal bands of Broca, ventral pallidum, and magnocellular nucleus basalis (MBN)/substantia innominata (SI) complex; cholinergic interneurons were observed in the caudate nucleus, putamen, accumbens nucleus, and olfactory tubercule, whereas the globus pallidus was devoid of cholinergic nerve cells. Cholinergic interneurons were frequently present in the hippocampus and to a lesser extent in cerebral cortex. Cholinergic projection neurons, except those localized in SI, abundantly expressed p75(NTR), and a subset of cholinergic neurons in posterior MBN was immunoreactive for CB and nNOS. A strict laminar distribution pattern of cholinergic terminals was recorded both in the cerebral cortex and in CA1-CA3 and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. In summary, the structural organization and chemoarchitecture of rabbit basal forebrain may be considered as a transition between that of rodents and that of primates.

Targets and Laminar Distribution of Projection Neurons with 'Inverted' Morphology in Rabbit Cortex

This study examines the axonal projections of so-called inverted pyramids and other neurons with their major dendritic shaft oriented in the direction of the white matter ('inverted cells') in the adult rabbit cortex. Single injections of horseradish peroxidase wheat germ agglutinin were made into cortical or subcortical sites. The resulting retrograde labelling in the cortex was analysed and the distribution across areas and layers of inverted cells contributing to each of these projections was estimated. In addition, the radial distribution of inverted cells was independently determined from rapid Golgi-impregnated and Nissl-stained material. All three procedures revealed that inverted cells lay overwhelmingly in infragranular layers, but congregated at the border between layers 5 and 6. Inverted cells, identified by retrograde labelling, seldom furnished non-telencephalic centres; in contrast, these cells constituted a major source for the projections to the ipsi- or the contralateral cortex, the claustrum or the nucleus caudatus. In general, each set of inverted cells (when defined by its specific destination as a group) was located below the typically oriented cells whose axons were aimed at the same target. Thus, the inverted cells of the rabbit cortex are characterized not only by their unique morphology and their corticocortical, corticoclaustral and corticostriatal projections, but also by their distinctive radial locations. These findings suggest that inverted cells, even though possibly composed of different cell types, are a specific class of projection neurons.

Widespread Horizontal Connections Arising from Layer 5/6 Border Inverted Cells in Rabbit Visual Cortex

Herein we describe the inverted cells [defined as those projection neurons having a major dendritic shaft abpially oriented (Bueno-López et al., Eur. J. Neurosci., 3, 415, 1991)] originating a unique set of cortical connections characterized by extraordinarily widespread horizontal distribution. Single and multiple injections of wheatgerm agglutinin - horseradish peroxidase were made in areas 17 and 18 and the resulting retrograde labelling in the cortex was analysed. The findings were assessed in independent control experiments in which Fluoro-Gold was used as retrograde tracer. Following single injections in area 17 several separate patches of labelled cells comprising layers 2 - 6 were consistently found in area 18. In addition to these associational cells a number of labelled cells appeared at the layer 5/6 border but were distributed over most of the tangential extent of the visual occipital cortex. This widespread pattern was particularly striking in brains after multiple injections. In these brains a conspicuous band of labelled cells at the 5/6 border radiated from the injection sites, making up an apparently continuous horizontal sheet that intersected the striate - extrastriate boundary and merged with the patches of labelled cells in area 18 and beyond. Most of the cells in the 5/6 border band were inverted cells (82%; n=2081). Injections in area 18 failed to produce such a widespread set of labelled cells in area 17. The functional significance of these connections furnished by the 5/6 border inverted cells remains to be determined, but their distribution would allow for convergent/divergent binding interactions both intra-areally (within area 17) and inter-areally (from area 18 to area 17).

Correlations between response properties of periodontal mechanosensitive neurones in the primary somatosensory cortex of the rabbit and cortically induced rhythmical jaw movements

The response properties of incisor- and molar-sensitive periodontal mechanosensitive (PM) neurones in the primary somatosensory (SI) cortex of rabbits were examined and rhythmical jaw movements induced by repetitive electrical stimulation of the recording sites of cortical PM neurones were observed. PM units were recorded from the rostromedial (RM) and rostrolateral (RL) areas of the SI cortex. In the RM area, most PMs (85%) were lower incisor-sensitive. Electrical stimulation of the RM area produced chopping-type rhythmical jaw movements. In the RL area, both incisor- and molar-sensitive PM units were recorded, and molar-sensitive units were located more rostromedially than incisor-sensitive units. More than half (66%) of the incisor-sensitive PM units were upper incisor-sensitive. The incidences of sustained-response type units were 8 and 10% for upper incisor- and lower incisor-sensitive units and 28 and 34% for upper molar- and lower molar-sensitive units, respectively. The optimal stimulus directions for the upper molar-sensitive units were predominantly labial or lingual, whereas those for most of the lower molar-sensitive units were lingual. Electrical stimulation of the PM unit-recording sites in the RL area induced grinding-type rhythmical jaw movements. Based on these findings, the lower incisor-sensitive neurones in the RM area of the SI cortex might mainly contribute to a neural network that controls jaw movements during ingestion. Furthermore, the response properties of molar-sensitive cortical neurones might be useful for discriminating the magnitude and direction of the biting force during grinding. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of upper incisor-sensitive neurones in the RL area in triggering grinding-type rhythmical jaw movements.

Involvement of cerebral cortical structures in the classical conditioning of eyelid responses in rabbits

The classical conditioning of the eyelid motor system in alert behaving rabbits has been used to study the expression of Fos in the hippocampus, and in the occipital, parietal, piriform and temporal cortices. Animals were classically conditioned with both delay and trace conditioning paradigms. As conditioned stimulus, both short and long (20 and 100 ms) tones (600 Hz, 90 dB) or short, weak (20 ms, 1kg/cm(2)) air puffs were used. The unconditioned stimulus was always a long, strong (100 ms, 3 kg/cm(2)) air puff that started 250-270 ms after the onset of the conditioned stimulus. The expression of Fos was significantly increased after both delayed and trace conditioning in the hippocampus, and in the parietal and piriform cortices contralateral to the unconditioned stimulus presentation side, compared with equivalent ipsilateral structures in conditioned animals, or with Fos production in the same contralateral structures in pseudo-conditioned and control animals. Fos expression in some cortical sites was specific to tone versus air puff stimuli when used as conditioned stimulus. Thus, Fos expression was significantly increased in the contralateral temporal lobe when tones were used as conditioned stimulus, for both delayed and trace conditioning paradigms, but not when animals were conditioned to short, weak air puffs. The present results indicate a specific Fos activation in several cerebral cortical structures during associative eyelid conditioning.

A stereological approach to human cortical architecture: identification and delineation of cortical areas

Stereology offers a variety of procedures to analyze quantitatively the regional and laminar organization in cytoarchitectonically defined areas of the human cerebral cortex. Conventional anatomical atlases are of little help in localizing specific cortical areas, since most of them are based on a single brain and use highly observer-dependent criteria for the delineation of cortical areas. In consequence, numerous cortical maps exist which greatly differ with respect to number, position, size and extent of cortical areas. We describe a novel algorithm-based procedure for the delineation of cortical areas, which exploits the automated estimation of volume densities of cortical cell bodies. Spatial sampling of the laminar pattern is performed with density profiles, followed by multivariate analysis of the profiles' shape, which locates the cytoarchitectonic borders between neighboring cortical areas at sites where the laminar pattern changes significantly. The borders are then mapped to a human brain atlas system comprising tools for three dimensional reconstruction, visualization and morphometric analysis. A sample of brains with labeled cortical areas is warped into the reference brain of the atlas system in order to generate a population map of the cortical areas, which describes the intersubject variability in spatial conformation of cortical areas. These population maps provide a novel tool for the interpretation of images obtained with functional imaging techniques.

GABAergic neurons in the rabbit visual cortex: percentage, layer distribution and cortical projections

6250 neurons yielding either callosal or inter-areal ipsilateral projections extrinsic to area 17 was GABAergic. Comparing these findings with those reported for other mammals, it seems that the incidence and distribution of GABAergic neurons in the visual cortex is similar in rabbits and rats. In contrast to rats but akin to higher mammals, no GABAergic neuron was found to furnish cortico-cortical connections to area 17 other than intrinsic connections.

The combined retrograde transport and unbiased stereological study of the claustrocortical connections in the rabbit

The quantitative analysis of the claustrocortical connections in the rabbit, labeled with the fluorescent retrograde tracer Fluoro-Gold (FG), was conducted by means of unbiased stereology. The FG was injected into selected regions of the motor, somatosensory, auditory and visual cortices and then a comparison of the various claustrocortical projections was carried out. This was achieved by comparing (1) the numerical densities of projecting neurones for each claustral projection zone and (2) the distribution of the labeled neurones throughout the rostro-caudal extent of the claustrum. No significant differences between the numerical densities of labeled neurones in the various projection zones are reported. The motor and primary somatosensory projections dominated in the anterior and central parts of the claustrum, whereas the secondary somatosensory, auditory and visual projections--in the posterior part. The difference in the distributions was significant (p < 0.001). Summarizing, the cortical projections in the claustrum, although varying topographically, do not reveal a quantitative differentiation. This may speak in favour of the integrative and modulating function of this structure in relationship to the neocortex.

Early magnetic field changes preceding the intracortical penicillin induced spikes

Events preceding interictal activity were studied using a combination of magnetoencephalography (MEG), electrocorticography (ECoG), and intracortical field potential recordings in rabbits. We measured MEG signals simultaneously with ECoG before and during interictal discharges induced by penicillin injected in the cortex (group 1: n = 12, medial cortex, regio retrosplenialis granularis; group 2: n = 4, cortical convexity, regio retrosplenialis agranularis; control group: n = 5); in group 3 (n = 12) a 16-channel depth electrode array was used to calculate the current source density in the cortical area exhibiting interictal epileptiform discharges. The modified Z-parameter as a lumped measure of magnetic field pattern changes and the global field power as a lumped measure of changes of field amplitude differences were calculated. In almost all recordings of both group 1 and 2, the Z-parameter of intra-individual MEG data became significantly larger than the control condition before the earliest change of the interictal spike recorded at the penicillin injection site (20-310 ms earlier, median: 91 ms, n = 151). The increase in Z-parameter in averaged MEG data of group 1 was significantly correlated with time as early as 790 ms before the spike (Pearson correlation coefficient, P < 0.05). After the start of the early increase of the Z-parameter, the global field power also began to increase before the ECoG spike. These results suggest a prespike field recruitment nearly 1 s before an interictal spike.

Observer-independent method for microstructural parcellation of cerebral cortex: A quantitative approach to cytoarchitectonics

We describe a new, observer-independent procedure for identifying boundaries between cortical areas. The method is useful for images obtained from sections which provide microstructural information on the cortical laminar pattern, e.g., Nissl-, myelin-, or immunohistochemically stained sections or receptor autoradiographs. The laminar pattern is represented by profile curves extending from the cortical surface to the white matter boundary. These profiles are constructed from digitized images. Digitization is based on the grey level index (Nissl) or densitometry (myelin, immunohistochemistry, receptor autoradiography). The shapes of neighboring profiles are compared by calculating their distances according to feature vectors extracted from the profiles. Profiles derived from a homogeneous area can be expected to be similar in shape and hence show low distance values between each other. Maximum distances can be found between profiles which lie on opposite sides of a structural boundary. The Mahalanobis distance was found to be more sensitive and to yield greater spatial resolution than other distance measures such as the Euclidean distance. Cell-stained sections of the human neocortex were analyzed. The method not only verified boundaries which had been defined by visual inspection, it also revealed new ones which had not been detected visually. The procedure offers an important supplement to the traditional methods based on visual inspection which, for the first time, is based on quantitative data and therefore offers a new level of reproducibility and observer independence. Anatomical atlases based on this procedure thus provide a new tool for the interpretation of structural data obtained from functional imaging techniques.

Intracortical functional heterogeneity in area striate during penicillin-induced spikes in rabbits

The generation and spread of epileptiform activity within the cortex depend on the functional and anatomical relationships between the focus and its surrounding area. These processes are not completely understood. Thus intracortical current-source-density analysis (CSD) was performed in six rabbits in order to investigate this functional relationship. Electric potential was measured perpendicular to the cortical surface by means of two 16-channel probes, and CSD was calculated within the focus and at various distances of up to 5 mm. The cortical areas surrounding the focus could be subdivided into three regions. The region up to 3 mm from the focus showed similar activity but beyond 4.5 mm no characteristic functional relationship was found with regard to the epileptiform events within the focus. Within the region 3.5-4.5 mm, however, mainly supragranular cells seem to contribute to the electric potential measured at the cortical surface and within the extracellular space. They were activated simultaneously with the initiation of focal spike generation. Taking into account the distribution of the electric potential and the results of CSD analysis, these cells seem mainly involved in the inhibition of the horizontal spread of spike activity.

The cortico-related zones of the rabbit claustrum-study of the claustrocortical connections based on the retrograde axonal transport of fluorescent tracers

The claustrocortical connections in the rabbit were assessed for the first time by the method of axonal retrograde transport of two fluorescent tracers (Fast Blue and Diamidino Yellow). The material consisted of 23 adult New Zealand rabbits. Projection zones of spindle-like form, connected with the precentral, postcentral, temporal and occipital cortices have been delineated. They are organized topographically both in the anteroposterior and ventrodorsal direction. The precentral (motor) projection zone is localized in the anterodorsal part of the claustrum. It may be divided into two separate parts that project to the medial and lateral part of the precentral cortex. The large postcentral (somatosensory) zone occupies mainly the central part, whereas the temporal (auditory) and occipital (visual) zones are situated in the posteroventral part of the claustrum. The overlap of various claustral projection zones is differentiated, the largest being that of the somatosensory zones. In comparison to the results of study of claustral projection zones performed on other species, presumably on the rat and cat, its seems plausible to conclude that the extension of claustral projection zones and degree of their overlap in the rabbit represent an intermediate character.

Glutamate-like immunoreactivity in synaptic terminals of the posterior cingulopontine pathway: a light and electron microscopic study in the rabbit

A postembedding immunoperoxidase method for light microscopy was used to localize glutamate-like immunoreactivity in the rabbit basilar pontine nuclei. Labelled fibre bundles, neuronal cell bodies and numerous puncta of diverse size were heavily glutamate immunoreactive throughout all subdivisions of the pontine nuclei. To determine whether some of the glutamate-immunoreactive puncta were synaptic terminals of posterior cingulate cortical neurons, a double-labelling technique involving an anterograde tract-tracing method and a postembedding immunogold procedure for electron microscopy was used. A quantitative evaluation of gold particle densities revealed that anterogradely labelled cingulopontine synaptic terminals were about twice as immunoreactive as their postsynaptic dendrites, perikaryal and glial profiles and about three times more than symmetric synaptic terminals. The present results indicate that the posterior cingulopontine projection contains high levels of glutamate at its synaptic terminals. This observation provides further support to the role for glutamate as a neurotransmitter in the corticopontine pathway.

mRNAs coding for neurotransmitter receptors in rabbit and rat visual areas

Levels of mRNAs encoding neurotransmitter receptors in the visual cortex, lateral geniculate nucleus, and superior colliculus of the rabbit and rat, and properties of the receptors expressed, were studied using Xenopus laevis oocytes. mRNA extracted from these areas was injected into the oocytes, which then acquired functional receptors. Electrical recordings of neurotransmitter-induced membrane currents reflect the relative amounts of mRNAs encoding the corresponding receptors. Receptors to gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), kainate, glutamate, and serotonin exhibited uniformly high levels of expression, whereas expression of receptors to glycine and N-methyl-D-aspartate was uniformly low. In contrast, the expression of receptors to acetylcholine and substance P was highly non-uniform. Expression of acetylcholine receptors was high in oocytes injected with mRNA from the visual cortex, low for the lateral geniculate nucleus, and very low or absent for the superior colliculus. Conversely, the currents elicited by substance P were large in oocytes injected with superior colliculus mRNA, but were small or absent in oocytes injected with mRNAs from the other regions. Immunohistochemical analysis, at the light and electron microscopic levels, was used to localize choline acetyltransferase, the acetylcholine-synthesizing enzyme, and substance P-containing synaptic boutons in the three visual areas. Their presence closely paralleled the potency of mRNAs coding for acetylcholine and substance P receptors. The ability of rat mRNA, from each visual area, to induce neurotransmitter receptors was similar to that observed in the corresponding rabbit mRNAs. In addition to the marked differential distribution of mRNA encoding neurotransmitter receptors in the visual system, our findings reveal the probable existence of as yet uncharacterized receptors, whose new molecular forms may be revealed by further study. Our results also provide the basic information required for subsequent studies on the effect of monocular deprivation on the expression of neurotransmitter receptors in the visual system.

Comparative biochemical pharmacology of central nervous system dopamine D1 and D2 receptors

The biochemical properties of central nervous system (CNS) dopamine (DA) D1 and D2 receptors were examined using the specific antagonists [3H]SCH23390 and [3H]raclopride, respectively. There is a different participation of sulfhydryl (-SH) and disulfide (-SS-) groups in the binding site and/or coupling to second messenger systems of D1 and D2 receptors. The ionic studies with [3H]SCH23390 showed slight agonist and antagonist affinity shifts for the D1 receptor. On the other hand, the D2 receptor is very sensitive to cations; even if lithium and sodium influence specific [3H]raclopride binding in a similar manner, there appear to be quantitative differences between these two ions that cannot be explained by surface charge mechanisms. The distribution of D1 and D2 receptors was heterogenous in both species, with the greatest densities in the neostriatum, where the highest concentrations of DA and metabolites were measured. Regions with low endogenous DA content (cerebral cortex and hippocampus) had lower densities of DA receptors. Furthermore, these binding sites were differentially localized within the various regions, and there were substantially more D1 than D2 receptors. The functional significance and heterogeneities in the distribution of D1 and D2 receptors can be related to dopaminergic innervation and turnover.

Quantitative aspects of synapses on Golgi-impregnated neurons

With the classical Golgi techniques, numerous types of neurons can be distinguished in the cerebral cortex, each with a specific dendritic geometry and pattern of axonal ramifications. In the present review we describe two techniques which allow quantification of synapses on identified neurons: (1) Golgi-rapid impregnation-gold toning-electron microscopy, and (2) Golgi-Kopsch impregnation-gold toning-electron microscopy in combination with staining of the tissue with ethanolic phosphotungstic acid (E-PTA). Both techniques were applied on neurons in the visual cortex of young and adult rabbits. By means of rotating and tilting specimens in the electron microscope, the nondistinctive ultrastructure of obliquely sectioned synapses can be circumvented, leading to precise estimates of asymmetrical vs. symmetrical synapses without complete reconstruction of the neuron.

Organization of callosal connections in the visual cortex of the rabbit following neonatal enucleation, dark rearing, and strobe rearing

The organization of visual callosal projections was studied in (1) normal adult rabbits; (2) adult rabbits which had undergone monocular enucleation (ME) or binocular enucleation (BE) at birth; and (3) adult rabbits which had been deprived of normal visual experience during development by dark rearing (DR) or strobe rearing (SR). Previously published observations (Murphy and Grigonis, Behav Brain Res 30:151, 1988) on callosal organization in adult rabbits in which retinal ganglion cell activity was eliminated during development by intraocular tetrodotoxin (TTX) injections, are also summarized for comparison with these data. The tangential extent of the callosal cell zone was significantly larger than normal in DR, TTX, and ME rabbits, was unchanged in BE rabbits, and was significantly reduced in SR rabbits. An analysis of the laminar distribution of the callosal cells revealed a significant increase in the percentage of callosal cells in lamina IV in ME, DR, and TTX animals. Measurements of density of callosal cells showed a significant increase in the density of the callosal projection in ME and SR rabbits and a decrease in density in BE rabbits compared with normal. The data suggest that the mechanisms involved in the development of the tangential and laminar organization of the callosal cell zone are different. In addition, the data suggest that the mechanisms involved in the maintenance of callosal projections are different from the mechanisms involved in the elimination of callosal projections during development. The effects of these developmental manipulations on callosal organization in other mammals are reviewed and compared with the effects in rabbits. The data suggest that species differences in the degree of maturity of the visual system at birth and in the extent of callosal development at the time of eye opening, may underlie species differences in the effects of these manipulations on the organization of visual callosal projections during development.

[3H]paroxetine binding and serotonin content of rat and rabbit cortical areas, hippocampus, neostriatum, ventral mesencephalic tegmentum, and midbrain raphe nuclei region

The high-affinity binding of [3H]paroxetine to membranes was measured in different regions of the rat and rabbit brain: cingulate, frontal, parietal, piriform, entorhinal, and visual cortical areas; dorsal and ventral hippocampus; rostral and caudal halves of neostriatum (rat) or caudate nucleus and putamen (rabbit); ventral mesencephalic tegmentum; and midbrain raphe nuclei region. The tissue concentrations of serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) and 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan (5-HTP) were also determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the same brain samples. The regional density of [3H]paroxetine binding varied in both species; the highest values (Bmax) were found in the midbrain raphe region and ventral mesencephalic tegmentum. The cortical values ranged from moderate to low, with a significantly higher density in the cingulate cortex of the rat compared with rabbit. In the rat, there was also a higher density in the ventral than dorsal hippocampus, and the caudal than rostral neostriatum. In the rabbit, the hippocampal and neostriatal values were generally lower and more uniform. In both species, there was an excellent correlation between regional 5-HT levels and specific [3H]paroxetine binding (r = 0.87 in the rat and 0.96 in the rabbit). Considering the available quantitative data on the number of 5-HT nerve cell bodies and axon terminals in different regions of the rat brain, it appears likely that the high amount of [3H]paroxetine binding in the midbrain raphe region and ventral mesencephalic tegmentum reflects the presence of 5-HT uptake sites on 5-HT nerve cell bodies and dendrites as well as axon terminals. In other brain regions, the heterogeneous distribution of [3H]paroxetine binding parallels that of the number of 5-HT axon terminals, emphasizing the potential usefulness of this radioligand as a marker of 5-HT innervation density.

Parallel evolution in mammalian and avian brains: comparative cytoarchitectonic and cytochemical analysis

Comparative morphology, which is based on the selection theory of evolution, analyses the impact of function upon structure and, therefore, emphasizes the adaptive events and biological advantage during the evolution of organs. A comparison based on analogies is described here as an adequate method. The hypothesis is proposed that the evolution of the brain follows the same trends in birds as in mammals. This hypothesis is proved by (1) allometric studies of brain weight and brain structure volume in relation to body weight in mammals and birds; (2) architectonic studies using image analysis on cell and fibre stains as well as on histochemical preparations and receptor autoradiography; and (3) hodological studies with injections of [3H]leucin, HRP and WGA-HRP. The results reveal a vast amount of structural and functional similarities in avian and mammalian brain organization, especially an expansion of structures that permit multimodal integration capacity in the telencephalon. Thus, a parallel evolution occurred in these two groups of vertebrates. It is argued that this may be a general phenomenon in evolution. A cladistic approach, which is based on the concept of homologies (plesio-, apomorphies), pushes aside the existence of analogies. For this reason, cladism does not seem to be a method to answer questions of evolutionary morphology adequately.

Descending pathways to the spinal cord, III: Sites of origin of the corticospinal tract

The somata of corticospinal neurons were labeled with horseradish peroxidase that had been applied to a hemisection of the spinal cord at the C1-C2 junction in 22 species of mammals. After tetramethylbenzidine processing, with and without counterstaining with cresyl violet or neutral red, the labeled cells in systematic sets of sections throughout the cerebral cortex were plotted and counted. Several morphological features of the corticospinal cells were examined including their cell type, number, density, concentration, laminar distribution, and their distribution across the cortical surface. The results show that the labeled corticospinal neurons were invariably layer V pyramidal cells. However, in many mammals they were found to be stacked one above the other within layer V, sometimes many neurons deep. Despite the concentration of corticospinal neurons within layer V, many unlabeled neurons were also present within the layer throughout the extent of the labeled region. The results also indicate that at least two spatially distinct regions of neocortex originate corticospinal fibers in each of the animals in the sample. In addition to these two regions, a third segregated region is present in the cortex of primates and an apparently different third region is present in the cortex of Glires (Rodentia and Lagomorpha). The third region of corticospinal cortex in primates is located on the lateral surface of the cortex in prosimians and New World monkeys and is buried in the caudal bank of the inferior arcuate sulcus in Old World monkeys. The results also show a predominantly contralateral corticospinal tract in all but 4 of the 22 mammals in the sample. Although these 4 mammals are each members of the order Insectivora, a less modified member of the same order possessed the predominantly contralateral projection of most mammals, hence denying the notion that a predominantly ipsilateral tract is a characteristic of Insectivora.

Endogenous homovanillic acid levels differ between rat and rabbit caudate, hippocampus, and cortical regions

Endogenous dopamine (DA) levels and its metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), 3-methoxytyramine (3MT) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography in the entorhinal-piriform (EnPi), cingulate (CIN), sensorimotor (SSM) and visual (VIS) cortices as well as is the caudate (CAU) and hippocampus (HIP) of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and New Zealand (NZ) rabbits. The DA, DOPAC and 3MT contents were similar in both species. The HVA levels however, although they followed DA distribution, were several-fold higher in NZ rabbits than in SD rats for all cortices, HIP and CAU. In addition, total metabolite contents and DA turnover (estimated from 'DA metabolite/DA' ratios) were significantly higher in NZ rabbits than in SD rats, suggesting an increased release and/or metabolism in the former species. The HVA/DA ratios were much higher for NZ rabbit regions than for SD rats, indicating an increased DA release in the former species since the DOPAC/DA ratios (index of intraneuronal degradation) were similar.

Distribution of monoamines and metabolites in rabbit neostriatum, hippocampus and cortex

The monoamines noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA), adrenaline (AD) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were assayed in the putamen (PUT), the lateral (lCAU) and medial (mCAU) portions of the caudate, the dorsal (dHIP) and ventral (vHIP) hippocampus, as well as in four cortical areas, i.e., anterior cingulate (CIN), entorhinal-piriform (EnPi), sensorimotor (SSC; somatosensory) and primary visual (VIS). The use of an HPLC procedure enabled us to perform these measurements in microdissected samples and to assay as well monoamine metabolites. The DA levels were highest in the neostriatum, moderate in the EnPi and CIN and very low in the SSC, VIS and hippocampus. The distribution of NA was more uniform, although higher concentrations were measured in the neostriatum, hippocampus and EnPi. The largest amounts of 5-HT were in the EnPi, while moderate concentrations were found in the other regions. The ratios between the neurotransmitters and their metabolites were used as an index of turnover and indicate that the terminal fields of the monoamine systems are heterogenous within the neostriatal, hippocampal and cortical subdivisions.

The ontogeny of dendrite bundles in rabbit visual cortex

Time schedule and mechanisms of the appearance of dendrite bundles in laminae IV and II/III of the visual cortex have been investigated in the rabbit from the first appearance of the cortical plate during fetal development up to adult stages. Sections cut either perpendicularly or tangentially to the cortical surface were used for light- and electron-microscopic analysis. Dendrite bundles appear during the late fetal period and the first postnatal days in a biphasic process. The first step takes place during late fetal development. Due to migration of neuroblasts along radial processes of glial cells, column-like compartments of neuropil are formed in laminae II-IV which contain the apical processes of the nerve cells situated in deeper layers. They represent the units of origin for the later dendrite bundles. The second step is initiated immediately after birth when axons arrive and small oblique and horizontal dendrites start to sprout from perikarya as well as from the apical dendrites. These new cell processes proliferate and grow rapidly. However, during this growth process groups of apical dendrites of pyramidal cells remain together, and they later form the bundles. In the beginning of this process many apical dendrites are connected with each other by punctae adhaerentiae. The basic pattern of dendrite bundles is present before the eyes open and before the majority of spines and synaptic contacts are formed.

Cortico-cortical and subcortico-cortical afferent connection of the rabbit's primary visual cortex. A horseradish peroxidase study

Neuroanatomical studies were carried out on the visual system of the adult rabbit brain. Either horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or wheat germ agglutinine-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) was injected into the area occipitalis 1. Several cortico-cortical, ipsi- and contralateral, and subcortico-cortical projections were demonstrated. In the ipsilateral telencephalon several patches of labelled cell groups, some single HRP-positive cell bodies and some labelled fibres were observed in the area retrosplenialis granularis dorsalis, the areas occipitales, the areas temporales, the area perirhinalis, the area entorhinalis, the area praecentralis 1, the regio cingularis 1 and in the regio diagonalis, as well as in the dorsal part of the claustrum. Efferent preterminal fibres and terminal knobs were seen in the nucleus caudatus. Contralaterally, groups of labelled cell bodies and single HRP-positive neurons were found in the area retrosplenialis granularis dorsalis, the areas occipitales and the areas temporales. In the ipsilateral diencephalon, labelled cell bodies were observed in the corpus geniculatum laterale (pars dorsalis and ventralis), the nucleus lateralis thalami, the nucleus reticularis thalami and in nonspecific nuclei of the midline. Contralaterally, very few labelled cell bodies were seen in the nonspecific nuclei of the midline. Some labelled cell bodies were observed in the ipsilateral substantia griseum centrale and in the nucleus reticularis mesencephali. Numerous anterogradely labelled preterminal fibres and terminal knobs but very few labelled cell bodies were seen in the nucleus praetectalis posterior. In the nucleus of the optic tract and in the colliculus superior, numerous labelled fibres could be observed. In the ipsilateral nuclei pontis numerous labelled fibres were detectable.

Distribution of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in rabbit cortical areas, hippocampus, and neostriatum in relation to dopamine contents

The densities of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors were measured by using [3H]SCH23390 and [3H]raclopride, respectively, in the rabbit cingulate, visual, sensorimotor, and entorhinal-piriform cortical areas; the dorsal and ventral hippocampus; and the putamen as well as the medial and lateral caudate. Endogenous dopamine (DA) and its metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetic acid (HVA), and 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT) were assayed by HPLC with electrochemical detection. The distributions of [3H]SCH23390 and [3H]raclopride binding were heterogenous with the greatest densities in the neostriatum. The concentrations of DA and its metabolites were also highest in this structure. Regions with low DA content, i.e., cortex and hippocampus, had lower densities of [3H]SCH23390 and [3H]raclopride binding. Furthermore, these sites were differentially localized within the various regions and there were substantially more D1 than D2 receptors. The functional significance and heterogeneities in the distribution of D1 and D2 receptors are discussed in relation to the dopaminergic innervation and the turnover estimated by the ratios between endogenous DA and its metabolites.

Morphological organization of the neuropil in laminae II-V of rabbit visual cortex

A combined light- and electronmicroscopic study of tangential serial sections through the visual cortex of the rabbit has been performed in order to find out whether or not the vertical bundles of apical dendrites in laminae IV/V and II/III on one hand and the areas between these bundles on the other differ with respect to composition and/or spatial organization of the neuropil. Lightmicroscopically only thick profiles such as apical dendrites of pyramidal cells and myelinated axons contribute to the structural characteristics of the neuropil. The appearance of the areas between the dendrite bundles is determined by the presence or absence of radiate bundles of myelinated axons. Lamina-dependent variations were seen in the neuropil of the dendrite bundles as well as in that of the areas between them. Ultrastructurally, the dendrite bundles and the areas between them were observed to be different also with respect to the distribution of the various types of small dendritic profiles and thin axons. The neuropil within the dendrite bundles except for the shafts and thick branches of apical dendrites contains thin unmyelinated axons and numerous spines of apical dendrites contracted by axon terminals. Small irregularly shaped dendrites are few in number. The neuropil between the dendrite bundles contains a larger number of thin unmyelinated axons than that within the bundles, and, instead of spines of apical dendrites, small irregularly shaped smooth and spiny dendrites represent the prevailing postsynaptic structures. Hence, areas within dendrite bundles differ from areas between them by thickness and orientation of their profiles and by the quantitative relation of the various kinds of processes accumulating in each compartment.

Dendrite bundles in lamina II/III of the rabbit neocortex

The present investigation systematically analyzes the course and arrangement of dendrites in lamina II/III of the visual and the motor cortex of the rabbit on the basis of Klüver-PAS stained 10 micron paraffin sections, 1 micron plastic-embedded semithin sections and ultrathin sections. In both areas the dendritic pattern of lamina II/III is characterized by vertical bundles reminiscent of the pattern in lamina IV/V. The bundles form in the upper half of lamina II/III. They consist mainly of apical dendrites from lamina II/III pyramidal cells and receive branches from dendrite bundles in lamina IV/V, i.e., branches from apical dendrites arising from lamina V pyramidal cells. Besides these features in common, the lamina II/III bundles in the visual cortex on the one hand and in the motor cortex on the other differ with regards to the size and shape of individual bundles as well as to the extent of connections with bundles in lamina IV/V.

Body surface maps in the somatosensory cortex of rabbit

The organization of somatosensory maps was examined in rabbits with the aid of microelectrode multi-unit recording techniques. Two complete maps of the contralateral body surface are identified in the parietal cortex. The first map, S I, is found entirely on the lateral convexity of the hemisphere and closely resembles S I described in the rat (Welker, '71, '76). It is organized in a complex, though systematic, fashion with the representations of the hindlimb and tail located caudomedially. These representations are followed laterally in sequence by those of the trunk and forelimb and then the representation of the head. Within the head representation the lips are found rostrally, the vibrissae caudomedially, and the displaced representation of the pinna of the ear is located caudolaterally. Unlike the disposition in most other mammals, the dorsal midline of the trunk is represented along the caudal border of S I. Within S I, the representations of the circumoral surfaces, including the lips, philtrum, nose, and vibrissae, are emphasized, occupying approximately 86.4% of the map. It is suggested that S I is contained within a single major koniocortical region, here called the medial parietal area, or Pm. The several previously described parietal regions (Rose, '31; Fleischhauer et al., '80) are interpreted as subregions that are related to particular representations of portions of the body surface. The second map, S II, is located lateral to S I in a region here called the lateral parietal area or Pl. S II shares a common border with S I along the representations of the philtrum, bridge of the nose, and top of the head. The body is oriented in an erect conformation with the head located rostrally and medially and the hindlimb and tail located caudally and laterally.

A quantitative approach to cytoarchitectonics. X. The areal pattern of the neostriatum in the domestic pigeon, Columba livia f.d. A cyto- and myeloarchitectonical study

The areal pattern of the neostriatum of the domestic pigeon, Columba livia f.d., is described in detail. The map was completed with the help of cyto- and myeloarchitectonical studies during which both qualitative and quantitative methods were applied. The map is divided into 16 areas which are characterized in this paper. Most of these areas can be interpreted as being not only structural but also functional units. The areas Ne 1, Ne 7, and Ne 12 represent primary projection fields. The areas Ne 2, Ne 4, Ne 5, Ne 9, Ne 13, and Ne 14 can be regarded as associative areas, closely connected with the primary areas. The areas Ne 6, Ne 11, Ne 15, and Ne 16 are described with regard to a possible integrative function.

Penicillin-induced epileptic phenomena in the rabbit's neocortex I. The development of interictal spikes after epicortical application of penicillin

In an attempt to elucidate the generation mechanisms underlying interictal spikes in the neocortex, the temporal development of spikes after the epicortical penicillin (PNC) application was studied. Field potentials (FP) were recorded simultaneously within the 6 neocortical layers with a multielectrode consisting of 16 contacts (10 X 10 micron 2) in a row at spacings of 150 micron. A one-dimensional current-source-density (CSD) analysis yielded the positions of current, sink and source densities, so that the different electrical events during a spike could be more accurately located within the different neocortical layers. After the epicortical application of PNC a typical succession of events, which underly the development of spikes, was observed. These events are similar in the visual and the motor cortex: immediately after the epicortical PNC application negative transients occur in the two uppermost cortical layers as well as within layers V to III. Due to the diffusion of the drug a characteristic succession of different processes takes place. Fully developed spikes show a typical configuration of sources and sinks, a moderate sink in layer V initiates a massive, double-peaked sink within layers II, III. This configuration of sinks suggests that some sort of triggering mechanism takes place. Since similar events are observed during interictal spikes in the visual and the motor cortex, neuronal structures common to both cortical areas are supposed to be responsible for the generation of PNC spikes.

Development of synapses on pyramidal and multipolar non-pyramidal neurons in the visual cortex of rabbits. A combined Golgi-electron microscope study

A combined Golgi-electron microscope method was used to study the ultrastructural maturation of synapses on identified pyramidal and multipolar non-pyramidal neurons in the visual cortex of young and adult rabbits. In samples of 10 (time of eye opening), 14, 20 day old and 7 month old animals, fully impregnated pyramidal neurons within the layers II-V and multipolar non-pyramidal neurons mainly located in lower layer III and layer IV was studied. We found that synapses in 10 and 14 day old animals were occasionally immature in appearance. They were characterized by either a poorly defined postsynaptic band or equal rims of pre- and postsynaptic electron-dense material and could therefore not be classified as Gray type I or II. The distinction between both types of synapses was easier at day 20 and in the adults when the postsynaptic band of the asymmetrical (type I) synapses had become remarkably thicker. In pyramidal neurons the cytoplasmic organelles increased in number during development. Although a few symmetrical synapses were present on dendritic spines of pyramidal neurons in 14 and 20 day old animals, all pyramidal neurons exhibited the same types of synapses on specific sites of their neuronal surface. They received exclusively type II synapses on their somata, type I synapses on their dendritic spines and both types of synapses on their dendritic shafts. However, in the adult animals the frequency of occurrence of type II synapses, especially on basal dendritic shafts, had increased. In some cases only type II and no type I synapses were present. A striking finding in all young and adult animals was that synapses at the borderline between somata and apical dendritic shafts as well as on dendritic spines were frequently complex or interrupted. The characteristic ultrastructural features of adult spine-free and sparsely spiny multipolar non-pyramidal neurons e.g. the many cytoplasmic organelles and type I and II synapses on somata and on dendrites were already present at day 10. After day 10 the number of organelles and synapses increased prominently and in adult animals the different types of synapses on dendrites were located at relatively short intervals of about 4 microns. In contrast with the dendritic shafts of pyramidal neurons many asymmetrical synapses were observed on dendritic shafts of the non-pyramidal neurons analysed in the adult animals. Furthermore, it appeared that the number of synapses on these non-pyramidal neurons is about twice that on pyramidal neurons in day 20 old animals and about four times in adult animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Synaptic characteristics of identified pyramidal and multipolar non-pyramidal neurons in the visual cortex of young and adult rabbits. A quantitative Golgi-electron microscope study

The visual cortex of 20 day old rats and rabbits has been considered as mature on the basis of the observations that the dendritic arborization and the overall synaptic population have almost reached their adult stage in these animals. In the present study we have investigated the visual cortex of 20 day and 7 month old (adult) rabbits in order to determine whether this apparent adult appearance also holds for the synaptic organization of individual neurons. Neurons mainly located in layers III and IV of the primary visual cortex (area 17) were Golgi-impregnated, gold toned and deimpregnated and were then, after embedding in plastic, sectioned serially. The number and length of synaptic profiles, and the length of the neuronal boundaries were analysed in every tenth section. From these counts and measurements the size distribution of the synaptic discs, the number of synapses per 100 micron2 neuronal surface and the receptive surface expressed as the percentage of the total neuronal surface covered with synaptic contacts were estimated using stereological methods. At both ages studied, the density of synapses was significantly higher for the non-pyramidal neurons than for the pyramidal neurons. Differences in the amount of receptive surface were parallel to the differences observed for the number of synapses per 100 micron2. At day 20 the receptive surface of the non-pyramidal neurons was significantly larger than that of the pyramidal neurons. The receptive surface of the non-pyramidal neurons in the adult stage was not only larger than that of the pyramidal neurons in the adults, but also larger than that of the day 20 non-pyramidal neurons. From our results the following conclusions can be drawn: (1) The synaptic input received by the pyramidal neurons is mainly established at day 20 of postnatal life, i.e. prior to the establishment of adult visual behaviour. (2) The non-pyramidal neurons complete their maturation in a later stage than the pyramidal neurons. (3) Medium to large sized synaptic contacts are newly formed after day 20 and are mainly added to the synaptic population on dendrites of non-pyramidal neurons. (4) The specific increase in the number of synapses on non-pyramidal neurons is discussed in relation to intracortical inhibition which is thought to be important for the fine regulation of visual function during development.

Morphological characteristics of neocortical laminae when studied in tangential semithin sections through the visual cortex of the rabbit

In semithin sections cut tangentially with respect to the surface of the cerebral cortex and with a side length of at most a few mm, it is extremely difficult to be certain which lamina has been sectioned, for instance lamina III or upper lamina IV. In order to provide criteria to overcome this difficulty, a systematic study was carried out in which 1 micron semithin sections through the visual cortex of the rabbit were cut in both the frontal and tangential planes and compared with 8-12 micron paraffin sections stained for cells and/or myelin. It was found that the arrangement of thick dendrites, of myelinated fibres and of unmyelinated profiles which may be either dendrites or neurites, permits subdivision of the visual cortex into three characteristic horizontal zones which are termed zones A, B and C. The relation between these three zones and the cytoarchitectonic pattern is as follows: Zone A corresponds to the cytoarchitectonic lamina I; zone B comprises lamina II/III, lamina IV and the upper half of lamina V; zone C corresponds to the lower half of lamina V and all of lamina VI. Zones A and B can further be subdivided: Zone A consists of two layers, whereas zone B can be divided into three tiers, each of which is characterized by a particular arrangement of the myelinated and unmyelinated profiles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A quantitative approach to cytoarchitectonics. VIII. The areal pattern of the cortex of the albino mouse

The cerebral cortex of the albino mouse was examined by means of a quantitative method. An image analyzer was used in conjunction with an automatic scanning procedure to determine the grey level index in Nissl-stained sections. Computer plots of various ranges of grey level indices enabled delineation of cortical areas, from which cortical maps were graphically reconstructed. The cortical areal pattern is, in some regions, similar to the commonly used map of Caviness (1975) but differs considerably in other regions, especially in the temporal one. Furthermore, the primary visual cortex of the mouse was shown to be composed of two distinct cytoarchitectonic areas. The results of the study are discussed with respect to the literature on anatomical and functional localizations in the mouse cerebral cortex.

Chandelier neurons within the rabbits' cerebral cortex. A Golgi study

This study has been carried out by light microscopy on 3 Golgi-Kopsch impregnated brains of young adult rabbits. It is shown that chandelier cells exist within the rabbits' cerebral cortex. In the rabbit, the chandelier cell is a medium ranged bipolar interneuron in layer II/III with a characteristic axon which forms a plexus with a diameter of about 350-500 micrometers in the horizontal and 200-350 micrometers in the vertical direction; the end of each ramulus forms the typical "candlestick", a little vertical string of 1-6 boutons on an axon fibre. These boutons form contacts with all parts of pyramidal cells in layer II and the upper part of layer III. Similarities and differences with respect to previous descriptions of these cells in other species are discussed.

Projections of the dorsal lateral geniculate and lateral posterior nuclei to visual cortex in the rabbit

The origin and terminations of thalamic inputs to the striate cortex and the occipital cortex of the rabbit were studied using both anterograde autoradiographic techniques and retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). After injections of [3H]-leucine into the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (DLGN) the transport of radiolabeled material was demonstrated in separate loci in both the striate and the occipital cortex. In both these cortical areas, the principal site of geniculocortical termination was in lamina IV with some diminished input spreading into laminae II-III and a light termination in layer I overlying the lamina IV termination. Layer VI of striate cortex received a substantial projection from DLGN while infragranular laminae of occipital cortex received a similar although lighter and more diffuse projection. The lateral posterior nucleus (LPN) was similarly demonstrated to project to both striate and occipital cortices, the projection terminating principally in lamina IV of occipital cortex, lamina V of striate cortex, and layer I over a large, continuous area of the posterior pole of the cortex. Moreover, a projection from LPN to the retrosplenial cortex medial to the striate area was consistently seen. The autoradiographic demonstration of a projection from DLGN and LPN to both striate cortex and occipital cortex was corroborated by the retrograde studies. Following the injection of HRP into either the striate or occipital cortex, columns of retrogradely filled somata were identified in both the DLGN and LPN. The location of the column of labeled neurons within each nucleus varied predictably with the location of the injection in either the striate or the occipital cortex.