The interrelationship between superior colliculus and substantia nigra pars reticulata in programming movements of cats. 1986

M Gelissen, and A Cools

Recent electrophysiological and behavioural studies have suggested that the deeper layers of the superior colliculus (dl-SC) are involved in the execution of targeting movements which are elicited but not continuously guided by external stimuli. In the first part of the present study the role of the GABAergic transmission in the dl-SC in the execution of these targeting movements was investigated. Therefore cats, trained to walk from one side of a narrow bar towards the target at the other side of the bar under stroboscopic illumination (2 flashes/s), were injected bilaterally in the dl-SC with picrotoxin (100 ng/0.5 microliter) or muscimol (75 ng/1 microliter). In the second part of this study the role of the GABAergic activity in the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR), projecting to the dl-SC through the GABAergic nigrotectal pathway, in the execution of the above-mentioned targeting movements was investigated. Therefore cats, trained to walk from one side of a narrow bar towards the target at the other side of the bar, either under full light or under stroboscopic illumination (2 flashes/s), were bilaterally injected in the SNR with picrotoxin (500 ng/0.5 microliter) or muscimol (200 ng/1 microliter). Under stroboscopic illumination (2 flashes/s) solvent-treated cats either continuously grasped the bar and/or continuously touched the bar with their whiskers, i.e. they executed movements which were continuously guided by external stimuli, while walking towards the target at the other side of the bar.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007267 Injections Introduction of substances into the body using a needle and syringe. Injectables,Injectable,Injection
D008297 Male Males
D009068 Movement The act, process, or result of passing from one place or position to another. It differs from LOCOMOTION in that locomotion is restricted to the passing of the whole body from one place to another, while movement encompasses both locomotion but also a change of the position of the whole body or any of its parts. Movement may be used with reference to humans, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. Differentiate also from MOTOR ACTIVITY, movement associated with behavior. Movements
D010852 Picrotoxin A mixture of PICROTOXININ and PICROTIN that is a noncompetitive antagonist at GABA-A receptors acting as a convulsant. Picrotoxin blocks the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-activated chloride ionophore. Although it is most often used as a research tool, it has been used as a CNS stimulant and an antidote in poisoning by CNS depressants, especially the barbiturates. 3,6-Methano-8H-1,5,7-trioxacyclopenta(ij)cycloprop(a)azulene-4,8(3H)-dione, hexahydro-2a-hydroxy-9-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-8b-methyl-, (1aR-(1aalpha,2abeta,3beta,6beta,6abeta,8aS*,8bbeta,9S*))-, compd. with (1aR-(1aalpha,2abeta,3beta,6beta,6abeta,8,Cocculin
D011597 Psychomotor Performance The coordination of a sensory or ideational (cognitive) process and a motor activity. Perceptual Motor Performance,Sensory Motor Performance,Visual Motor Coordination,Coordination, Visual Motor,Coordinations, Visual Motor,Motor Coordination, Visual,Motor Coordinations, Visual,Motor Performance, Perceptual,Motor Performance, Sensory,Motor Performances, Perceptual,Motor Performances, Sensory,Perceptual Motor Performances,Performance, Perceptual Motor,Performance, Psychomotor,Performance, Sensory Motor,Performances, Perceptual Motor,Performances, Psychomotor,Performances, Sensory Motor,Psychomotor Performances,Sensory Motor Performances,Visual Motor Coordinations
D002415 Cats The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801) Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
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
D013378 Substantia Nigra The black substance in the ventral midbrain or the nucleus of cells containing the black substance. These cells produce DOPAMINE, an important neurotransmitter in regulation of the sensorimotor system and mood. The dark colored MELANIN is a by-product of dopamine synthesis. Nigra, Substantia,Nigras, Substantia,Substantia Nigras
D013477 Superior Colliculi The anterior pair of the quadrigeminal bodies which coordinate the general behavioral orienting responses to visual stimuli, such as whole-body turning, and reaching. Colliculus, Superior,Optic Lobe, Human,Optic Lobe, Mammalian,Optic Tectum,Anterior Colliculus,Superior Colliculus,Tectum, Optic,Colliculi, Superior,Colliculus, Anterior,Human Optic Lobe,Human Optic Lobes,Mammalian Optic Lobe,Mammalian Optic Lobes,Optic Lobes, Human,Optic Lobes, Mammalian,Optic Tectums,Tectums, Optic

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