Showing papers on "Cuneate nucleus published in 1987"

Sources of projections to subdivisions of the inferior colliculus in the rat.

Abstract: Brainstem and forebrain projections to major subdivisions of the rat inferior colliculus were studied by using retrograde and anterograde transport of horseradish peroxidase. Retrograde label from injection into the external cortex of the inferior colliculus appears bilaterally in cells of the inferior colliculus, as well as in other brainstem auditory groups including the ipsilateral dorsal nucleus of the lateral lemniscus and contralateral dorsal cochlear nucleus. The external cortex is the only collicular subdivision where an injection labels cells in the contralateral cuneate nucleus, gracile nucleus, and spinal trigeminal nucleus. Other projecting cells to the external cortex are found in the lateral nucleus of substantia nigra, the parabrachial region, the deep superior colliculus, the midbrain central gray, the periventricular nucleus, and area 39 of auditory cortex. Injection of the dorsal cortex of inferior colliculus heavily labels pyramidal cells of areas 41, 20, and 36 of the ipsilateral neocortex. Anterograde label from a large injection of auditory cortex is densely distributed in the dorsal cortex, lesser so in the external cortex, and only slightly in the central nucleus. Labelled cells appear in the central nucleus, dorsal cortex, and external cortex, primarily ipsilaterally, following dorsal cortex injection. Relatively few cells from other brainstem auditory groups show projections to the dorsal cortex. Injection of the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus results in robust labelling of nuclei of the ascending auditory pathway including the anteroventral, posteroventral, and dorsal cochlear nuclei (mainly contralaterally), and bilaterally the lateral superior olive, lateral nucleus of the trapezoid body, dorsal nucleus of the lateral lemniscus, and the central nucleus, dorsal cortex, and external cortex of the colliculus. The medial superior olive, superior paraolivary nucleus, and ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body essentially show ipsilateral projections to the central nucleus. The differential distribution of afferents to the inferior colliculus provides a substrate for functional parcellation of collicular subdivisions.

Somatosensory projection to the mesencephalon: An anatomical study in the monkey

Abstract: The terminal areas and cells of origin of the somatosensory projection to the mesencephalon in the monkey were investigated by the intraaxonal transport method. Following injection of wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase conjugate (WGA-HRP) into the spinal enlargements, the lateral cervical nucleus (LCN), the dorsal column nuclei (DCN), or the spinal trigeminal nucleus, anterograde labeling was observed in several regions of the mid-brain. (1) Injection of tracer into the spinal enlargements resulted in dense terminal labeling in the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) and the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG); moderate termination was observed in the intercollicular nucleus (Inc), the intermediate and deep gray layers of the superior colliculus (SGI, SGP), the posterior pretectal nucleus (PTP), and the nucleus of Darkschewitsch (D); and scattered terminal fibers were seen in the cuneiform nucleus (CNF) and the pars compacta of the anterior pretectal nucleus (PTAc). The projections from the cervical enlargement to PAG, Inc, and the superior colliculus terminated more rostrally than those from the lumbar segments, indicating a somatotopic organization. (2) Terminal labeling after injection of tracer into LCN was found mainly in Inc, SGI, and SGP, but sparse labeling was also observed in the nucleus of the brachium of the inferior colliculus (BIN), PAG, PBN, PTP, and D. (3) The projection from DCN terminated densely in the external and pericentral nuclei of the inferior colliculus (ICX, ICP), Inc, SGI, SGP, PTP, PTAc, the nucleus ruber, and D, and weak terminal labeling was seen in BIN, PAG, and PBN. Comparisons of the anterograde labeling following injections involving both the gracile nucleus and the cuneate nucleus with that after injection restricted to the gracile nucleus alone suggested a somatotopic termination pattern in Inc, the superior colliculus, and the pretectal nuclei. (4) The patterns of projection from the laminar and alaminar parts of the spinal trigeminal nucleus differed: injection of tracer into the caudal part of the alaminar spinal trigeminal nucleus (nucleus interpolaris) resulted in dense anterograde labeling in SGI and SGP, moderate termination in Inc, and minor projections to PBN, PAG, and PTP, whereas after tracer injection into the laminar trigeminal nucleus (nucleus caudalis) terminal labeling was present only in PBN and PAG. Following injection of tracer into the midbrain terminal areas retrogradely labeled neurons were found in the spinal cord, LCN, DCN, and the spinal trigeminal nucleus, with the majority of labeled cells situated on the side contralateral to the injection site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Distribution of external cuneate nucleus afferents to the cerebellum: II. Topographical distribution and zonal pattern-an experimental study with radioactive tracers in the cat

Abstract: Small injections of tritiated leucine and the autoradiographic method were used to demonstrate efferents from restricted portions of the external cuneate nucleus (NCE) to the cerebellum. Sites of injection were analyzed by reference to the distribution of primary muscle afferents in NCE. On transverse sections, the silver deposits form longitudinal bands that, in certain regions, are packed together and label the entire surface of the granular layer; in other parts, they are separated by empty longitudinal bands. The longitudinal deposits are not continuous in the rostrocaudal direction. On the basis of the distribution of the longitudinal bands, 14 zones have been described for lobules II-VI, and 6 zones were recognized in lobules I, VIII, and the paramedian lobule. Afferents from NCE are distributed topographically. Regions of the nucleus receiving axial and neck muscles project mainly to vermal regions of lobules I-III, and to parts of lobules VIII and IX. Regions receiving afferents from forelimb muscles send their fibers preferentially to the vermian region of lobule V, to paravermian regions of lobules IV-VI, to parts of lobules VIII and IX, and to the paramedian lobule. These distributions in several respects are in agreement with the somatotopical maps of the cerebellum. However, other features support a "mosaic" arrangement: efferents from a region of NCE are distributed over several distinct sites of the cortex and efferents from different parts of the nucleus also converge to neighboring cortical regions.

Limb specific connections of the cat magnocellular red nucleus.

Abstract: Afferent and efferent connections of the limb specific divisions of the cat magnocellular red nucleus (RNm) were traced using the bidirectional transport of wheatgerm agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase complex (WGA-HRP). Injection sites within forelimb or hindlimb RNm regions were identified by microelectrode recording and confirmed by the position of labeled rubrospinal terminals. Additional injections into structures that project to, or receive input from, RNm confirmed the somatotopic organization of these pathways. The forelimb region of RNm receives input from the posteriolateral part of the anterior interpositus nucleus (NIA) and the intermediate part of the posterior interpositus nucleus (NIP). The hindlimb region of RNm receives input from anteriomedial NIA and medial NIP. Terminals of NIA cells densely fill all of RNm, but terminals of NIP cells form a half shell on the medial, ventral, and posterior borders of RNm without encroaching on RNm's lateral edge or central core. Forelimb and hindlimb RNm are reciprocally connected with the caudal cuneate and gracile nuclei respectively. There is little or no input to RNm from the medial or lateral cerebellar nuclei. Forelimb RNm, which also contains a face representation, projects to the lateral reticular nucleus, cell group f of the inferior vestibular nucleus, the facial nucleus, the main sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, the caudal cuneate nucleus, the parvicellular reticular formation, and cervical segments of the spinal cord. A few fibers from forelimb RNm project directly to motor neurons in the lower cervical cord. Hindlimb RNm projects to only the lateral reticular nucleus, gracile nucleus, and lower spinal segments. Forelimb and hindlimb RNm project to different regions of the lateral reticular nucleus with some overlap.

Somatosensory nuclei in the brainstem of the rat: independent projections to the thalamus and cerebellum.

Abstract: The dorsal column nuclei and the sensory trigeminal nuclei project not only to the ventrobasal thalamus but also to the cerebellum. In this study the numbers and distribution of neurones projecting to these two regions were examined for the following nuclei: the rostral part of the main cuneate nucleus, the external cuneate nucleus, nucleus x, the principal sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, and the oral, interpolar, and caudal subnuclei of the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve. A thalamic projection from nucleus x and from the external cuneate nucleus was confirmed, and a distinct group of neurones projecting to the ventroposteromedial thalamus was distinguished near the ventromedial aspect of the principal sensory nucleus. Of the 165,000 neurones examined, only one was found to be double labelled. It was concluded that the populations of neurones that project to the ventrobasal thalamus and to the cerebellum are separate, and that somatosensory neurones in the brainstem do not send axon collaterals to both regions.

Development of the precerebellar nuclei in the rat: III. The posterior precerebellar extramural migratory stream and the lateral reticular and external cuneate nuclei.

Abstract: Sequential thymidine radiograms from rats injected on day E15 and killed thereafter at daily intervals up to day E22 were analyzed to trace the migratory routes and settling patterns of neurons of the lateral reticular nucleus and the external cuneate nucleus. The neurons of the lateral reticular and external cuneate nuclei originate in the primary precerebellar neuroepithelium at the same site as the inferior olivary neurons but follow a different migratory route. The labeled young neurons that are produced on day E15 (the last one-third of the total) join the posterior precerebellar extramural migratory stream. The cells move circumferentially over the wall of the medulla in a ventral direction and by day E17 reach the midline and cross it beneath the inferior olive. The crossing cells apparently continue to migrate circumferentially on the opposite side. One complement of these cells begins to form a ventrolateral extramural condensation on day E19. By day E20 some cells begin to penetrate the parenchyma and settle as neurons of the lateral reticular nucleus. The settling of the lateral reticular neurons continues on the following day, and by day E22 all the cells destined for the lateral reticular nucleus have penetrated the parenchyma. A dorsomedial-to-ventrolateral neurogenetic gradient is indicated for the settling lateral reticular neurons. Another complement of migrating cells continues dorsally and forms a condensation on day E19 that we interpret as the external cuneate component of the crossed stream. These cells begin to penetrate the parenchyma on day E20, and by days E21 and E22 two components of the external cuneate nucleus are identifiable-the dorsal and ventral external cuneate nuclei. The neurons of the lateral reticular and external cuneate nuclei differ from neurons of all the other precerebellar nuclei in that their cerebellar projection is predominantly ipsilateral. We speculate that the axons of all precerebellar neurons are genetically specified to cross the midline ventrally to provide a contralateral efferent projection, but this is modified in the case of the ipsilaterally projecting lateral reticular and external cuneate neurons by the cell bodies following their neurites to the opposite side.

Immunocytochemical distribution of met-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 in the rat lower brainstem.

Abstract: The distribution of methionine-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8, a unique peptide derived from proenkephalin A in the rat brainstem, was studied immunocytochemically by using a highly specific antiserum to this octapeptide sequence. Immunoreactive perikarya with various shapes and sizes were detected in many regions of the rat brainstem. Dense accumulation of immunoreactive perikarya and fibers was seen in the nuclei associated with special sensory and visceral functions, such as the interpeduncular nucleus, the parabrachial nucleus, the nucleus of the solitary tract, and the nucleus of the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve. Clusters of methionine-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8-like immunoreactive perikarya and fibers were observed in certain areas considered to play a role in nociception and analgesia, such as the central gray of the midbrain central gray and the raphe magnus nucleus. Some methionine-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8-like immunoreactive perikarya were distributed in the lateral reticular nucleus, the nucleus of the solitary tract, and the raphe magnus nucleus, where monoaminergic neurons were also detected. In addition to the previously reported enkephalinergic cells, we found many methionine-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 containing neurons; the rostral and caudal linear nucleus of raphe, the median raphe nucleus, entire length of the raphe magnus nucleus, the medial longitudinal fasciculus, the cuneate nucleus, the external cuneate nucleus, the gracile nucleus, and the area postrema. The wide distribution of this octapeptide-like immunoreactivity reflected neurons expressing the preproenkephalin A gene distributed more widely than previously reported and that innervated many regions.

Bipolar recording of short‐latency somatosensory evoked potentials after median nerve stimulation

Abstract: Generators of median short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials were studied with three orthodiagonal pairs of bipolar electrodes. N11 was attributed to the dorsal root and dorsal column volleys. N13 had at least two subcomponents, generator dipoles of which are directed horizontally (N13a) and axially (N13b). N13a was generated in the lower cervical cord. N13b (bipolar) and P14 far-field (noncephalic reference) appeared to originate in the cuneate nucleus or spinocerebellar tracts as well as in the medial lemniscus. Bipolar recordings were useful in localizing cervical cord lesions, which was impossible in conventional monopolar recordings.

Distribution of external cuneate nucleus afferents to the cerebellum: I. Notes on the projections from the main cuneate and other adjacent nuclei. An experimental study with radioactive tracers in the cat

Abstract: Transport of radioactive leucine was used to demonstrate cerebellar projections from the external cuneate nucleus (NCE) and from adjacent portions of the main cuneate nucleus (NC), of the spinal trigeminal nucleus (N.tr.sp.V) and of the vestibular nuclei. Projections from NCE and NC in part terminate over exclusive regions and in part overlap. After injections limited to NCE, labeling is found in all regions of the anterior lobe and lobule VI, in vermal lobules VII, VIII, and IX, and in medial regions of central folia of the paramedian lobule. Afferents from NC are observed in intermediate and lateral regions of lobules IV-VI, in lobules VIII and IX, in medial portions of crura I and II, and in lateral parts of central folia of the paramedian lobule as well as in its rostral folia. Afferents from N.tr.sp.V are distributed in lateral regions of lobules II-VI, in the rostral folium of lobule IX, in medial parts of crura I and II, and in rostral folia of the paramedian lobule. Afferents from the vestibular nuclei are present in vermal lobules VII, IX, and X and in the paramedian lobule. Projections from NCE are bilateral with ipsilateral predominance, whereas those from NC and N.tr.sp.V are ipsilateral. Projections from NCE are generally much denser than those from the other nuclei. Throughout the projection area, afferents from NCE are distributed in greater amounts in folia close to the medullary core and are much less dense near the surface. Afferents from the other nuclei do not show surface-to-depth density differences.

Central projection of rat sciatic nerve fibres as revealed by Ricinus communis agglutinin and horseradish peroxidase tracers.

Abstract: The central projection of afferent fibres in the rat sciatic nerve has been studied by means of the suicide transport of a lectin, Ricinus communis agglutinin 60 (RCA 60), and the transganglionic transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The results obtained from these two methods are similar; however, the RCA method gave a more consistent and better localisation of the primary afferent terminals than the HRP method. The present study has shown that primary afferents from the sciatic nerve project predominantly to the ipsilateral gracile nucleus. In addition, they also project to several other brainstem nuclei; these include the contralateral nucleus gracilis, the ipsilateral main cuneate nucleus, the external cuneate nucleus and the presumptive nucleus z.

Properties of proprioceptive neurons in the cuneate nucleus of the cat.

Abstract: Fifty-two slowly adapting proprioceptive neurons in the cuneate nucleus of chloralose-anesthetized cats were studied. Recordings were made from 3 mm rostral to the obex to 5 mm caudal. The highest densities of proprioceptive neurons were found above and more than 3 mm caudal to the obex. Analysis of the spike trains produced with the forelimb held fixed revealed three basic periodic patterns. Neurons exhibiting these patterns were partitioned into three groups, referred to as the A, B, and C classes. Class A neurons (42%; 22/52) produced regular spike trains that were qualitatively similar to muscle spindle fibers. Interval distributions for this class were typically unimodal and slightly positively skewed. Adjacent intervals were frequently positively correlated. Spectral analysis suggested that 91% of class A spike trains had one to two periodic components. Class B neurons (21%; 11/52) had additional spikes interposed in their periodic discharge; these "interrupting" spikes did not significantly alter the timing of the dominant periodic discharge. Interval distributions were typically bimodal and adjacent intervals were negatively correlated. Spectral analysis suggested that two or more periodic components were present in their spike trains. Class C neurons (36%; 26/52) had spike trains with a basic rhymicity, but when this specific discharge was interrupted, the subsequent interval was near modal length; thus, they were "reset." Interval distributions were usually multimodal and adjacent intervals were frequently negatively correlated. Spectral analysis suggested that C spike trains usually had four or more periodic components. Estimates of information-carrying capacity of each class using a mean rate code and those of primary muscle spindle fibers suggested that a sizable information loss may occur in synaptic transmission. This potential loss was smaller for A-neurons (40%) than for B- (69%) or C-neurons (64%). Electrical stimulation of cutaneous structures influenced 55% (22/52) of the sample. All were members of the B and C classes. Responses were typically biphasic. The cutaneous receptive fields nearly always included a portion of the forepaw. No relationship was found between movement sensitivity and receptive field topography. Contralateral input was found in half (10/20) the neurons tested.

Generators of human spinal somatosensory evoked potentials

Abstract: Somatosensory evoked potentials recorded over the spine with a noncephalic reference following posterior tibial nerve stimulation have several components. (1) A stationary, synapse-dependent, negative potential (N22) occurs synchronously with a positive potential, P22, recorded ventral to the spinal cord and is localized to the lumbar region overlying the lumbar root entry zone. The N22/P22 complex is attributed to activation of interneurons in the dorsal gray of the lumbar cord. (2) A traveling negative potential with a gradually increasing latency may be recorded from the sacral to the cervical region. Its short refractory period indicates that it is not dependent on transmission across a synapse. This activity is attributed to transmission of the afferent volley through the lumbosacral plexus, roots, and the dorsal columns of the spinal cord. (3) N29, a stationary, synapse-dependent negative potential, localizes to the rostral cervical spine and is attributed to activation of the gracile nucleus relay cells. Following stimulation of the median nerve or fingers, the waveforms recorded over the cervical spine with a noncephalic reference include (1) the proximal plexus volley, a traveling negative potential reflecting transmission through the proximal brachial plexus and roots; (2) the dorsal column volley (DCV), the latency of which gradually increases from the caudal to rostral cervical region (the DCV is attributed to transmission of the afferent volley through the dorsal columns of the cervical cord); and (3) N13, a stationary negative waveform, with a long refractory period consistent with its dependence on transmission across a synapse. Experimental animal and human studies indicate that the N13 waveform is dependent on activity of at least two generator sites, namely the dorsal gray of the cervical cord and the cuneate nucleus.

Mapping study of serotoninergic input to diencephalic-projecting dorsal column neurons in the rat.

Abstract: Several lines of evidence indicate that the processing of somatosensory information in the dorsal column nuclei (DCN) is subject to descending controls. Anatomical experiments have demonstrated projections to the DCN from the sensorimotor cerebral cortex and the reticular formation. Physiological studies have shown that the activity of DCN neurons can be altered following stimulation of the cerebral cortex, reticular formation, periaqueductal gray, or raphe nuclei. Recent biochemical and electrophysiological evidence suggests a serotoninergic modulation of DCN neurons. The present study identifies serotonin-containing contacts on cells in the DCN that project to the thalamus in the rat. Retrograde labeling of brainstem neurons by horseradish peroxidase demonstrated projections to the DCN from the nucleus reticularis paragigantocellularis lateralis and from several raphe nuclei, including nuclei raphe obscurus (RO), pallidus (RP), and magnus (RM). Double labeling with horseradish peroxidase and antibody for serotonin indicated that the RO, RP and RM are likely to be the sources of the serotoninergic projections to the DCN. Thus, the role of the serotoninergic output from the raphe nuclei includes modulation of activity in the DCN.

Projection of cervical dorsal root fibers to the medulla oblongata in the brush-tailed possum, Trichosurus vulpecula.

Abstract: This study describes the projection of cervical spinal afferent nerve fibers to the medulla in the brush-tailed possum, a marsupial mammal. After single dorsal roots (between C2 and T1) were cut in a series of animals, the Fink-Heimer method was used to demonstrate the projection fields of fibers entering the CNS via specific dorsal roots. In the high cervical spinal cord, afferent fibers from each dorsal root form a discrete layer in the dorsal funiculus. The flattened laminae from upper cervical levels are lateral and those from lower cervical levels are medial within the dorsal columns. All afferent fibers at this level are separated from gray matter by the corticospinal fibers in the dorsal funiculus. All cervical roots project throughout most of the length of the well-developed main cuneate nucleus in a loosely segmentotopic fashion. Fibers from rostral roots enter more lateral parts of the nucleus, and fibers from lower levels pass to more medial areas; but terminal projection fields are typically large and overlap extensively. At more rostral medullary levels, fibers from all cervical dorsal roots also reach the external cuneate nucleus. The spatial arrangement here is more complex and more extensively overlapped than in the cuneate nucleus. Rostral cervical root fibers reach ventral and ventrolateral areas of the external cuneate nucleus and continue to its rostral pole; more caudal root fibers project to more dorsal and medial regions within the nucleus. These results demonstrate that projection patterns of spinal afferents in this marsupial are similar to those seen in the few placental species for which detailed data concerning this system are available.

Peripheral and Spinal Inputs to Physiologically Identified Thalamic and Nonthalamic Relay Neurons in Cat Cuneate Nucleus

Abstract: A single-unit population study of the feline cuneate nucleus was carried out to identify principal neuron types, their distribution within the nucleus, pattern of peripheral activation, and receptive field characteristics. Units were also tested for response to isolated dorsal column or dorsolateral funicular electrical stimulation. The nucleus was explored in a uniform pattern, and sample size was optimized by applying the search stimulus shocks to the dorsal spinal cord. Single units were defined as spinal afferents, cuneothalamic-relay (CTR) neurons, and non-cuneothalamic-relay (non-CTR) neurons. The following features were observed: (1) The distribution within the nucleus of specific cell types agreed with cytoarchitectural studies: Spinal afferent fibers were superficial and caudal; 22% of neurons were CTR neurons; CTR neurons were most dense in the middle of the nucleus and were largely separate from non-CTR neurons. (2) Of the 58 neurons tested for response to isolated dorsal column and dorsolatera...