Biomaterial Database

Functional projections from striate cortex and superior temporal sulcus to the nucleus of the optic tract (NOT) and dorsal terminal nucleus of the accessory optic tract (DTN) of macaque monkeys. 1991

K P Hoffmann, and C Distler, and R Erickson

Allgemeine Zoologie und Neurobiologie, Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum, Federal Republic of Germany.

The nucleus of the optic tract (NOT) and the dorsal terminal nucleus of the accessory optic tract (DTN) have been recognized to be relevant structures for optokinetic and vestibuloocular reflexes. NOT-DTN neurons relay visual information to the vestibular nuclei via the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi and to the flocculus via the dorsal cap of the inferior olive. It has been previously shown that in carnivores the NOT-DTN receives information from primary visual cortical areas in addition to the direct retinal input. In this study we demonstrate the presence and some functional characteristics such as latency and evicacy of considerable cortical projections to the NOT-DTN in macaque monkeys. In anaesthetized and paralyzed monkeys NOT-DTN neurons were identified physiologically and tested for cortical input by electrical stimulation in various cortical areas. Successful sites of stimulation to activate NOT-DTN neurons orthodromically lie in the primary visual cortex (V1) and in the motion-processing areas in the superior temporal sulcus (STS). In contrast, electrical stimulation in area V4 and in parietal areas in most cases did not yield orthodromic responses. Overall latencies of action potentials elicited by stimulation in V1 were 0.5 ms longer than those elicited from STS. These short latency differences between V1 and STS stimulation suggest a direct projection from both V1 and STS to the NOT-DTN. The physiological results were supported by the results of anatomical experiments by using horseradish peroxidase as anterograde tracer. Both injections into V1 and into the lower bank of STS resulted in anterogradely labelled fibers and terminals around the recording sites of direction-specific NOT-DTN neurons. This paper is a first step in clarifying the significance of corticofugal projections from individual areas involved in the analysis of visual motion for the optokinetic reflex.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008252	Macaca fascicularis	A species of the genus MACACA which typically lives near the coast in tidal creeks and mangrove swamps primarily on the islands of the Malay peninsula.	Burmese Long-Tailed Macaque,Crab-Eating Monkey,Cynomolgus Monkey,M. f. aurea,M. fascicularis,Macaca fascicularis aurea,Monkey, Crab-Eating,Monkey, Cynomolgus,Crab-Eating Macaque,Burmese Long Tailed Macaque,Crab Eating Macaque,Crab Eating Monkey,Crab-Eating Macaques,Crab-Eating Monkeys,Cynomolgus Monkeys,Long-Tailed Macaque, Burmese,Macaque, Burmese Long-Tailed,Macaque, Crab-Eating,Monkey, Crab Eating
D008253	Macaca mulatta	A species of the genus MACACA inhabiting India, China, and other parts of Asia. The species is used extensively in biomedical research and adapts very well to living with humans.	Chinese Rhesus Macaques,Macaca mulatta lasiota,Monkey, Rhesus,Rhesus Monkey,Rhesus Macaque,Chinese Rhesus Macaque,Macaca mulatta lasiotas,Macaque, Rhesus,Rhesus Macaque, Chinese,Rhesus Macaques,Rhesus Macaques, Chinese,Rhesus Monkeys
D008297	Male		Males
D009434	Neural Pathways	Neural tracts connecting one part of the nervous system with another.	Neural Interconnections,Interconnection, Neural,Interconnections, Neural,Neural Interconnection,Neural Pathway,Pathway, Neural,Pathways, Neural
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D009900	Optic Nerve	The 2nd cranial nerve which conveys visual information from the RETINA to the brain. The nerve carries the axons of the RETINAL GANGLION CELLS which sort at the OPTIC CHIASM and continue via the OPTIC TRACTS to the brain. The largest projection is to the lateral geniculate nuclei; other targets include the SUPERIOR COLLICULI and the SUPRACHIASMATIC NUCLEI. Though known as the second cranial nerve, it is considered part of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Cranial Nerve II,Second Cranial Nerve,Nervus Opticus,Cranial Nerve, Second,Cranial Nerves, Second,Nerve, Optic,Nerve, Second Cranial,Nerves, Optic,Nerves, Second Cranial,Optic Nerves,Second Cranial Nerves
D002540	Cerebral Cortex	The thin layer of GRAY MATTER on the surface of the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES that develops from the TELENCEPHALON and folds into gyri and sulci. It reaches its highest development in humans and is responsible for intellectual faculties and higher mental functions.	Allocortex,Archipallium,Cortex Cerebri,Cortical Plate,Paleocortex,Periallocortex,Allocortices,Archipalliums,Cerebral Cortices,Cortex Cerebrus,Cortex, Cerebral,Cortical Plates,Paleocortices,Periallocortices,Plate, Cortical
D004558	Electric Stimulation	Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses.	Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D005260	Female		Females
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia