Neuroscience 2004 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 211.3 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Projection from the orbitofrontal cortex to the locus coeruleus in monkeys revealed by anterograde tracing. |
| Authors: |
Zhu, Y.*1
; Iba, M.1
; Rajkowski, J.1
; Aston-Jones, G.1
1Dept Psychiat, Univ of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Cognition and Behavior - Human and Animal Cognition and Behavior -- Executive function |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Cognition and Behavior<br />- Human and Animal Cognition and Behavior<br />-- Learning & memory: Physiology and imaging |
| Session: |
211. Executive Functions: Premotor and Posterior Cortices Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Sunday, October 24, 2004 10:00 AM-11:00 AM |
| Location: | San Diego Convention Center - Hall A-H, Board # PP7 |
| Keywords: | immunohistochemistry, norepinephrine, motivation, decision |
Neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) of monkeys show phasic activation following target stimuli during performance of a target detection task (Aston-Jones et al., 1994). These are not simply sensory or motor/premotor responses, but rather appear to be associated with decision about motivationally relevant stimuli (Clayton et al., SFN Abstr., 2003; Iba et al., this meeting). Our previous anatomical study revealed retrogradely labeled neurons in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) after tracer injection into the monkey LC, indicating that the OFC is a possible source for decision-motivation input to the LC (Aston-Jones et al., SFN Abstr., 2002). To further test this idea, we injected anterograde tracers (biotinylated dextran amine, BDA, 5%; fluorescein dextran, FD, 10%) into several sites of the OFC (mainly areas 12 and 13) of two African green monkeys. Staining for tracers and LC-noradrenergic neurons by immunohistochemistry showed prominent anterogradely labeled fibers and terminals among noradrenergic neurons and processes in the LC and peri-LC areas in both monkeys. These and previous results indicate that the primate LC receives substantial direct input from the OFC. Ultrastructural analyses are underway to confirm direct synaptic innervation. On the basis of these and other results, we propose that these afferents may convey information from decision processes related to motivationally important stimuli to the LC.
Supported by PHS grant MH62196
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2004 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2004. Online.
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