Characterization of neurons of the supramammillary nucleus and mammillary body that discharge rhythmically with the hippocampal theta rhythm in the rat. 1994

B Kocsis, and R P Vertes
Center for Complex Systems, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton 33431.

We examined the activity of single cells of the supramammillary nucleus (SUM), the mammillary body (MB), and adjacent regions of the diencephalon with respect to the hippocampal electroencephalogram (EEG) in urethane-anesthetized rats. Twenty-nine of 170 cells were found to discharge synchronously with the theta rhythm of the hippocampus (theta-related neurons). All of the 29 theta-related cells were localized to the SUM or MB. A subset of theta-related cells of SUM and MB discharged in short-duration bursts comparable to the pyramidal complex spike cells of the hippocampus. In contrast to hippocampal complex spikes, however, which predominantly exhibit this mode of firing during non-theta states, the burst firing of SUM/MB cells was strongly correlated with the theta rhythm. The proportion of bursting neurons was higher in MB than in SUM. Using partial coherence analysis, we examined the relationship between SUM/MB theta-related cells and the two generators of theta of the dorsal hippocampus. The theta-related cells of MB showed a stronger correlation with "CA1" than with "dentate" theta, whereas no such asymmetry was found in the relationship between neuronal firing of SUM cells and the two generators of theta in the hippocampus. The foregoing suggests that the theta-related cells of MB are driven by descending projections from the hippocampal formation (CA1), whereas those of the SUM are not. The SUM and MB are intimately connected with the hippocampal formation--the SUM mainly via ascending projections to the dentate gyrus, and the MB via direct descending projections from the subiculum. Theta-related SUM/MB cells may be directly involved in the generation of theta and/or the transfer of theta rhythmicity to various parts of the limbic system and forebrain.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007034 Hypothalamus, Posterior The part of the hypothalamus posterior to the middle region consisting of several nuclei including the medial maxillary nucleus, lateral mammillary nucleus, and posterior hypothalamic nucleus (posterior hypothalamic area). The posterior hypothalamic area is concerned with control of sympathetic responses and is sensitive to conditions of decreasing temperature and controls the mechanisms for the conservation and increased production of heat. Hypothalamic Region, Posterior,Posterior Hypothalamic Region,Area Hypothalamica Posterior,Hypothalamus Posterior,Mammillary Region,Posterior Hypothalamus,Posterior Periventricular Nucleus,Premammillary Nucleus,Supramammillary Commissure,Supramammillary Nucleus,Area Hypothalamica Posteriors,Commissure, Supramammillary,Commissures, Supramammillary,Hypothalamic Regions, Posterior,Hypothalamica Posterior, Area,Hypothalamica Posteriors, Area,Hypothalamus Posteriors,Mammillary Regions,Nucleus, Posterior Periventricular,Nucleus, Premammillary,Nucleus, Supramammillary,Periventricular Nucleus, Posterior,Posterior Hypothalamic Regions,Posterior, Area Hypothalamica,Posterior, Hypothalamus,Posteriors, Area Hypothalamica,Posteriors, Hypothalamus,Region, Mammillary,Region, Posterior Hypothalamic,Regions, Mammillary,Regions, Posterior Hypothalamic,Supramammillary Commissures
D008297 Male Males
D008326 Mammillary Bodies A pair of nuclei and associated GRAY MATTER in the interpeduncular space rostral to the posterior perforated substance in the POSTERIOR HYPOTHALAMUS. Mamillary Bodies,Bodies, Mamillary,Bodies, Mammillary,Body, Mamillary,Body, Mammillary,Mamillary Body,Mammillary Body
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
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
D004027 Diencephalon The paired caudal parts of the PROSENCEPHALON from which the THALAMUS; HYPOTHALAMUS; EPITHALAMUS; and SUBTHALAMUS are derived. Interbrain,Interbrains
D004569 Electroencephalography Recording of electric currents developed in the brain by means of electrodes applied to the scalp, to the surface of the brain, or placed within the substance of the brain. EEG,Electroencephalogram,Electroencephalograms
D006624 Hippocampus A curved elevation of GRAY MATTER extending the entire length of the floor of the TEMPORAL HORN of the LATERAL VENTRICLE (see also TEMPORAL LOBE). The hippocampus proper, subiculum, and DENTATE GYRUS constitute the hippocampal formation. Sometimes authors include the ENTORHINAL CORTEX in the hippocampal formation. Ammon Horn,Cornu Ammonis,Hippocampal Formation,Subiculum,Ammon's Horn,Hippocampus Proper,Ammons Horn,Formation, Hippocampal,Formations, Hippocampal,Hippocampal Formations,Hippocampus Propers,Horn, Ammon,Horn, Ammon's,Proper, Hippocampus,Propers, Hippocampus,Subiculums
D000200 Action Potentials Abrupt changes in the membrane potential that sweep along the CELL MEMBRANE of excitable cells in response to excitation stimuli. Spike Potentials,Nerve Impulses,Action Potential,Impulse, Nerve,Impulses, Nerve,Nerve Impulse,Potential, Action,Potential, Spike,Potentials, Action,Potentials, Spike,Spike Potential
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

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