Association of efferent neurons to the compartmental architecture of the superior colliculus.

AUTOR(ES)

Illing, R B

RESUMO

The superior colliculus is a layered structure in the mammalian midbrain serving multimodal sensorimotor integration. Its intermediate layers are characterized by a compartmental architecture. These compartments are apparent through the clustering of terminals of major collicular afferents, which in many instances match the heterogeneous distribution of tissue components such as acetylcholinesterase, choline acetyltransferase, substance P, and parvalbumin. The present study was undertaken to determine whether efferent cells observe this compartmental architecture. It was found that subpopulations of both descending and ascending collicular efferents originate from perikarya situated in characteristic positions relative to the collicular compartments defined by elevated acetylcholinesterase activity and that their dendrites appear to be specifically coordinated with the heterogeneous environment. With the specific interlocking of afferent and efferent neurons through spatially distinguished neural networks, the compartmental architecture apparently constitutes an essential element for the determination of information flow in the superior colliculus.

Documentos Relacionados

• Saccade deficits after a unilateral lesion affecting the superior colliculus.
• Neuronal activity related to head and eye movements in cat superior colliculus.
• Quantitative study of the development of neurons and synapses in rats reared in the dark during early postnatal life. 1. Superior colliculus.
• Different roles for GABAA and GABAB receptors in visual processing in the rat superior colliculus.
• Somatosensory projections to the superior colliculus of the anaesthetized cat.