Neuroscience 2005 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 305.2 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Forebrain projections of the vagal responsive site in the thalamic parafascicular nucleus in monkeys. |
| Authors: |
Ito, S.*1,2
; Craig, A. D.2
1Dept Physiol, Shimane Univ. School of Medicine, Izumo, Japan 2AZ, 89-1 Enya, 693-8501, |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Homeostatic and Neuroendocrine Systems - Cardiovascular Regulation |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Sensory and Motor Systems<br />- Tactile/Somatosensory<br />-- Thalamus and Cortex |
| Session: |
305. Cardiovascular Regulation: Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Sunday, November 13, 2005 2:00 PM-3:00 PM |
| Location: | Washington Convention Center - Hall A-C, Board # KK27 |
| Keywords: | EVOKED POTENTIALS, CAUDATE, AUTONOMIC, EPILEPSY |
We recently identified a focus of potent vagal afferent activation in the lateral part of the thalamic parafascicular nucleus (Pf) that is earlier and more prominent than the vagal activation in the adjacent gustatory / visceral relay nucleus (the basal ventromedial nucleus, or VMb; Ito & Craig SfN 2003). To elucidate the forebrain circuitry activated by this Pf vagal focus, we investigated its efferent projections using anterograde fluorescent dextrans. Prior studies of Pf projections did not include this portion. In 5 barbiturate-anesthetized monkeys, evoked potentials were mapped in the right thalamus from stimulation of the left cervical vagus nerve, and iontophoretic tracer injections were made at the response focus. Survival time was 4 weeks. The injection sites were all located in the ventrolateral part of caudal Pf, lateral to the habenulo-interpeduncular tract, medial to VMb, and ventromedial to the centre median. Labeled terminals were found in the caudate nucleus (Cd) in all cases. Terminal patches extended longitudinally in the head of Cd for millimeters; they were concentrated in its ventral aspect. Dense terminal patches occurred throughout the tail of Cd and often extended into the ventral aspect of the dorsally contiguous putamen. Terminals were also seen at the medial edge of the putamen, the hypothalamus, substantia innominata, and insular cortex, as well as in several thalamic nuclei. These results suggest that visceral information is fed to the basal ganglia circuit through the 'associative striatal territories' that have been implicated in cognitive function. These regions may be involved in the therapeutic effects of vagus nerve stimulation on epilepsy or depression.
Support contributed by: NIH (grant NS40413), the Barrow Neurological Foundation and the Shimane University Medical Education and Research Foundation.
Support contributed by: NIH (grant NS40413), the Barrow Neurological Foundation and the Shimane University Medical Education and Research Foundation.
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2005 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2005. Online.
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