Tonotopic organization in ventral nucleus of medial geniculate body in the cat. 1985

T J Imig, and A Morel

Responses of single units and clusters of units to tone burst stimulation were recorded at 100-micron intervals along vertical electrode penetrations through the medial geniculate bodies of eight barbiturate-anesthetized cats. Marking lesions were placed at two or three locations along most penetrations to aid in histological reconstruction of electrode tracks. Best frequencies and suprathreshold-response latencies were studied at each location along a penetration. The ventral nucleus is physiologically characterized as a region containing narrowly tuned, short-latency (less than or equal to 40 ms) responses and an orderly tonotopic organization. Best frequencies were plotted as a function of depth along single electrode penetrations, and the sequences from different locations in the ventral nucleus were compared. Two-dimensional best-frequency maps were obtained at different rostrocaudal levels. Each map was constructed from best frequencies encountered along several electrode penetrations in the same transverse plane in one brain. We divided the ventral nucleus into seven different rostrocaudal levels, each characterized by a different pattern of tonotopy. Caudolaterally, isofrequency contours parallel the ventrolateral border of the medial geniculate body. At middle levels, low- and mid-frequency contours course ventromedially from the dorsal border of the ventral nucleus toward its medial border, then turn sharply and continue ventrolaterally. Higher-frequency contours parallel this course, but consist of discontinuous dorsal and ventral segments. Rostrally, isofrequency contours are vertically oriented. A model of the three-dimensional tonotopic organization of the ventral nucleus is described that is consistent with the two-dimensional best-frequency maps obtained at different rostrocaudal levels and with locations of ventral nucleus neurons labeled by horseradish peroxidase injections into low-, mid-, and high-frequency representations in auditory cortex. The model includes a planar component and a concentric component. Within the planar component, low frequencies are represented laterally and high frequencies are represented rostromedially. Within the concentric component, low frequencies are represented in a central column that extends mediolaterally through a hole in the mid-frequency representation. The mid-frequency representation in turn is partially surrounded by the high-frequency representation. There is a continuous representation of a "single" frequency in both the planar and concentric components of the model.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008959 Models, Neurological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of the neurological system, processes or phenomena; includes the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Neurologic Models,Model, Neurological,Neurologic Model,Neurological Model,Neurological Models,Model, Neurologic,Models, Neurologic
D010898 Pitch Perception A dimension of auditory sensation varying with cycles per second of the sound stimulus. Perception, Pitch,Perceptions, Pitch,Pitch Perceptions
D011930 Reaction Time The time from the onset of a stimulus until a response is observed. Response Latency,Response Speed,Response Time,Latency, Response,Reaction Times,Response Latencies,Response Times,Speed, Response,Speeds, Response
D001931 Brain Mapping Imaging techniques used to colocalize sites of brain functions or physiological activity with brain structures. Brain Electrical Activity Mapping,Functional Cerebral Localization,Topographic Brain Mapping,Brain Mapping, Topographic,Functional Cerebral Localizations,Mapping, Brain,Mapping, Topographic Brain
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
D005072 Evoked Potentials, Auditory The electric response evoked in the CEREBRAL CORTEX by ACOUSTIC STIMULATION or stimulation of the AUDITORY PATHWAYS. Auditory Evoked Potentials,Auditory Evoked Response,Auditory Evoked Potential,Auditory Evoked Responses,Evoked Potential, Auditory,Evoked Response, Auditory,Evoked Responses, Auditory,Potentials, Auditory Evoked
D005829 Geniculate Bodies Part of the DIENCEPHALON inferior to the caudal end of the dorsal THALAMUS. Includes the lateral geniculate body which relays visual impulses from the OPTIC TRACT to the calcarine cortex, and the medial geniculate body which relays auditory impulses from the lateral lemniscus to the AUDITORY CORTEX. Lateral Geniculate Body,Medial Geniculate Body,Metathalamus,Corpus Geniculatum Mediale,Geniculate Nucleus,Lateral Geniculate Nucleus,Medial Geniculate Complex,Medial Geniculate Nucleus,Nucleus Geniculatus Lateralis Dorsalis,Nucleus Geniculatus Lateralis Pars Dorsalis,Bodies, Geniculate,Complex, Medial Geniculate,Complices, Medial Geniculate,Corpus Geniculatum Mediales,Geniculate Bodies, Lateral,Geniculate Bodies, Medial,Geniculate Body,Geniculate Body, Lateral,Geniculate Body, Medial,Geniculate Complex, Medial,Geniculate Complices, Medial,Geniculate Nucleus, Lateral,Geniculate Nucleus, Medial,Geniculatum Mediale, Corpus,Geniculatum Mediales, Corpus,Lateral Geniculate Bodies,Medial Geniculate Bodies,Medial Geniculate Complices,Mediale, Corpus Geniculatum,Mediales, Corpus Geniculatum,Nucleus, Geniculate,Nucleus, Lateral Geniculate,Nucleus, Medial Geniculate
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
D001306 Auditory Pathways NEURAL PATHWAYS and connections within the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, beginning at the hair cells of the ORGAN OF CORTI, continuing along the eighth cranial nerve, and terminating at the AUDITORY CORTEX. Auditory Pathway,Pathway, Auditory,Pathways, Auditory

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