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Katharina Braun - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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organization of the dorsocaudal neostriatal complex a retrograde and anterograde tracing study in the domestic chick with special emphasis on pathways relevant to imprinting
The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 1998Co-Authors: Martin Metzger, Shucui Jiang, Katharina BraunAbstract:In the forebrain of domestic chicks, a network of distinct regions is crucially involved in auditory and visual filial imprinting. Among these areas, a distinct part of the dorsocaudal neostriatal complex (dNC complex), termed Neostriatum dorsocaudale (Ndc), was recently discovered by its enhanced metabolic activity during the presentation of auditory and visual imprinting stimuli. Since there is evidence that the dNC complex consists of several distinct functional subareas, we investigated the neural connections of different parts of the dNC complex by retro- and anterograde pathway tracing. Special emphasis was put on the connections of the dNC complex with other imprinting relevant regions in the rostral telencephalon, such as the mediorostral Neostriatum/hyperstriatum ventrale (MNH) and the intermediate and medial part of the hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV). By anterograde and multiple retrograde pathway tracing, we found that the dNC complex may at least be subdivided into three major constituents. The most medial part of the dNC complex, termed Neostriatum dorsale (Nd), is characterized by strong reciprocal connections with the neostriatal part of the MNH and by its auditory related inputs, including those from the output layers L1 and L3 of field L, and the shell region of the thalamic n. ovoidalis. The Ndc, which occupies the central aspects of the dNC complex, is mainly characterized by reciprocal connections with the ectostriatal belt (Ep) and the adjacent Neostriatum (N). Furthermore, Nd and Ndc receive strong thalamic input from the n. dorsolateralis posterior (DLP), both project to the IMHV, and both are reciprocally connected with the archistriatum intermedium (AI). The most lateral aspect of the dNC complex, termed Ndl, is characterized by afferents from the Neostriatum frontale, pars trigeminalis (NFT), and by the lack of a thalamic input. Results indicate that the dNC complex comprises distinct subregions, which are characterized by their specific afferents from parasensory areas of different sensory modalities. These different subregions may be integral components of a general pattern of sensory processing in the avian telencephalon. The strong interconnections between Nd, Ndc, and MNH as well as IMHV may constitute essential parts of auditory and visual imprinting circuits. J. Comp. Neurol. 395:380–404, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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organization of the dorsocaudal neostriatal complex a retrograde and anterograde tracing study in the domestic chick with special emphasis on pathways relevant to imprinting
The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 1998Co-Authors: Martin Metzger, Shucui Jiang, Katharina BraunAbstract:In the forebrain of domestic chicks, a network of distinct regions is crucially involved in auditory and visual filial imprinting. Among these areas, a distinct part of the dorsocaudal neostriatal complex (dNC complex), termed Neostriatum dorsocaudale (Ndc), was recently discovered by its enhanced metabolic activity during the presentation of auditory and visual imprinting stimuli. Since there is evidence that the dNC complex consists of several distinct functional subareas, we investigated the neural connections of different parts of the dNC complex by retro- and anterograde pathway tracing. Special emphasis was put on the connections of the dNC complex with other imprinting relevant regions in the rostral telencephalon, such as the mediorostral Neostriatum/hyperstriatum ventrale (MNH) and the intermediate and medial part of the hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV). By anterograde and multiple retrograde pathway tracing, we found that the dNC complex may at least be subdivided into three major constituents. The most medial part of the dNC complex, termed Neostriatum dorsale (Nd), is characterized by strong reciprocal connections with the neostriatal part of the MNH and by its auditory related inputs, including those from the output layers L1 and L3 of field L, and the shell region of the thalamic n. ovoidalis. The Ndc, which occupies the central aspects of the dNC complex, is mainly characterized by reciprocal connections with the ectostriatal belt (Ep) and the adjacent Neostriatum (N). Furthermore, Nd and Ndc receive strong thalamic input from the n. dorsolateralis posterior (DLP), both project to the IMHV, and both are reciprocally connected with the archistriatum intermedium (AI). The most lateral aspect of the dNC complex, termed Ndl, is characterized by afferents from the Neostriatum frontale, pars trigeminalis (NFT), and by the lack of a thalamic input. Results indicate that the dNC complex comprises distinct subregions, which are characterized by their specific afferents from parasensory areas of different sensory modalities. These different subregions may be integral components of a general pattern of sensory processing in the avian telencephalon. The strong interconnections between Nd, Ndc, and MNH as well as IMHV may constitute essential parts of auditory and visual imprinting circuits.
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organization of the dopaminergic innervation of forebrain areas relevant to learning a combined immunohistochemical retrograde tracing study in the domestic chick
The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 1996Co-Authors: Martin Metzger, Shucui Jiang, Jizhong Wang, Katharina BraunAbstract:The mediorostral Neostriatum/hyperstriatum ventrale (MNH) and Neostriatum dorsocaudale (Ndc) of the domestic chick are crucially involved in auditory filial imprinting, whereas the lobus parolfactorius (LPO) seems to be involved in the emotional modulation of behavior. Because there is evidence that MNH and Ndc are akin to higher association areas in mammals, the present study evaluates the dopaminergic and thalamic input to these areas, as well as to the avian caudate/putamen homologue LPO, by using retrograde pathway tracing, together with dopamine (DA) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry. By combining DA immunohistochemistry with retrograde fluorescent tracing, we demonstrated that dopaminergic afferents to the MNH and Ndc arise mainly from the area ventralis, whereas the main dopaminergic input to the LPO arises from the substantia nigra. The main thalamic input to the MNH and LPO arises from the dorsal thalamic nuclei, n. dorsomedialis anterior and n. dorsolateralis anterior, whereas the thalamic input to the Ndc arises from the n. dorsolateralis posterior and n. subrotundus. Furthermore, there are reciprocal intratelencephalic connections between distinct parts of the Neostriatum caudale and the mediorostral Neostriatum. DA-immunoreactive (ir) fibers are present at moderate densities in the MNH and Ndc and at high densities in the LPO. At the ultrastructural level, DA- and TH-ir axon terminals in the MNH and Ndc form predominantly symmetric synaptic contacts with dendritic shafts, which are often situated in close vicinity to unstained terminals. These results indicate that the general organization of dopaminergic afferents to the chick telecephalon is similar to that of the mesotelencephalic dopaminergic subsystems in mammals such as the mesostriatal and mesolimbocortical DA system. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Mario Herreramarschitz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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dopamine d1 receptor modulation of glutamate receptor messenger rna levels in the neocortex and Neostriatum of unilaterally 6 hydroxydopamine lesioned rats
Neuroscience, 1999Co-Authors: R Rodriguezpuertas, Mario Herreramarschitz, Jari Koistinaho, T HokfeltAbstract:Abstract The effect of treatment with the D 1 dopamine receptor agonist SKF 38393 on the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1, 3, 4 and 5 receptor subtypes and of the glutamate N -methyl- d -aspartate ionotropic receptor subunits NR1, NR2A and NR2B was analysed using in situ hybridization. We studied the neocortex and Neostriatum of normal rats and of rats treated with 6-hydroxydopamine, a neurotoxin that, after intracerebral injection into the ventral tegmental area, causes selective degeneration of the ascending dopamine pathway. In the 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats, metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 3 messenger RNA levels were ipsilaterally increased in the neocortex and Neostriatum, while the levels of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 messenger RNA were bilaterally increased in both regions. When administered to the 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats, the D 1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 (3×20 mg/kg, s.c.) produced a bilateral decrease in the expression of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 1 and 5 receptor messenger RNA levels in the neocortex and Neostriatum. In the Neostriatum, SKF 38393 attenuated the ipsilateral increase in the expression of striatal metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 3 messenger RNA produced by the 6-hydroxydopamine lesion. Furthermore, SKF 38393 produced a bilateral decrease in the levels of NR1 receptor subunit messenger RNA and, in contrast, an increase in the striatal NR2B messenger RNA levels. All these effects were abolished by the D 1 receptor antagonist SCH 23360. These results indicate a differential D 1 receptor-mediated modulation of the expression of some glutamate receptor subtypes in the Neostriatum and neocortex, in agreement with the idea of a functional coupling between dopamine and excitatory amino acid systems in both regions. Thus, pharmacological targeting of excitatory amino acid systems could provide alternative or complementary treatment strategies for diseases involving dopaminergic systems in the striatum (e.g., Parkinson's disease) and cortex (e.g., schizophrenia).
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effects of secretogranin ii derived peptides on the release of neurotransmitters monitored in the basal ganglia of the rat with in vivo microdialysis
Naunyn-schmiedebergs Archives of Pharmacology, 1996Co-Authors: Zhibing You, Michel Goiny, Lars Terenius, A Saria, R Fischercolbrie, Mario HerreramarschitzAbstract:In vivo microdialysis was used to study the effect of secretogranin II-derived peptides on dynorphin B (Dyn B), dopamine, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate and aspartate release in the substantia nigra and Neostriatum of halothane-anaesthesized rats.
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effect of morphine on dynorphin b and gaba release in the basal ganglia of rats
Brain Research, 1996Co-Authors: Zhibing You, Urban Ungerstedt, Ingrid Nylander, Michel Goiny, Jan Kehr, Mario Herreramarschitz, Lars TereniusAbstract:In vivo microdialysis was used to study the effects of systemic, as well as intracerebral administration of morphine and naloxone on dynorphin B release in Neostriatum and substantia nigra of rats. The release of dopamine (DA), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate (Glu) and aspartate (Asp) was also investigated. Systemic injection of morphine (1 mg/kg s.c.) induced long-lasting increases in extracellular dynorphin B and GABA levels in the substantia nigra, whereas DA, Glu and Asp levels, measured in the same region, were not significantly affected. No effect on striatal neurotransmitter levels was observed following systemic morphine administration. Local perfusion of the substantia nigra with morphine (100 microM) through the microdialysis probe also increased nigral dynorphin B and GABA levels. Perfusion of the Neostriatum with morphine (100 microM) significantly increased GABA and dynorphin B levels in the ipsilateral substantia nigra, but no effect was observed locally. Naloxone blocked the effect of systemic morphine administration on nigral dynorphin B and GABA release, already at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg s.c. Naloxone alone, given either systemically (0.2-4 mg/kg s.c.) or intracerebrally (1-100 microM), did not affect dynorphin B or amino acid levels, either in Neostriatum or in substantia nigra. However, naloxone produced a concentration-dependent increase in DA levels. The present results indicate that systemic morphine administration stimulates the release of dynorphin B in the substantia nigra, probably by activating the mu-subtype of opioid receptor, since the effect of morphine on nigral dynorphin B and GABA was antagonized by a low dose of naloxone. The increase in extracellular DA levels produced by high concentrations of naloxone, both in Neostriatum and substantia nigra, indicates a disinhibitory effect of this drug on DA release, probably via a non-mu subtype of opioid receptors located on nigro-striatal DA neurones.
Martin Metzger - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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organization of the dorsocaudal neostriatal complex a retrograde and anterograde tracing study in the domestic chick with special emphasis on pathways relevant to imprinting
The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 1998Co-Authors: Martin Metzger, Shucui Jiang, Katharina BraunAbstract:In the forebrain of domestic chicks, a network of distinct regions is crucially involved in auditory and visual filial imprinting. Among these areas, a distinct part of the dorsocaudal neostriatal complex (dNC complex), termed Neostriatum dorsocaudale (Ndc), was recently discovered by its enhanced metabolic activity during the presentation of auditory and visual imprinting stimuli. Since there is evidence that the dNC complex consists of several distinct functional subareas, we investigated the neural connections of different parts of the dNC complex by retro- and anterograde pathway tracing. Special emphasis was put on the connections of the dNC complex with other imprinting relevant regions in the rostral telencephalon, such as the mediorostral Neostriatum/hyperstriatum ventrale (MNH) and the intermediate and medial part of the hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV). By anterograde and multiple retrograde pathway tracing, we found that the dNC complex may at least be subdivided into three major constituents. The most medial part of the dNC complex, termed Neostriatum dorsale (Nd), is characterized by strong reciprocal connections with the neostriatal part of the MNH and by its auditory related inputs, including those from the output layers L1 and L3 of field L, and the shell region of the thalamic n. ovoidalis. The Ndc, which occupies the central aspects of the dNC complex, is mainly characterized by reciprocal connections with the ectostriatal belt (Ep) and the adjacent Neostriatum (N). Furthermore, Nd and Ndc receive strong thalamic input from the n. dorsolateralis posterior (DLP), both project to the IMHV, and both are reciprocally connected with the archistriatum intermedium (AI). The most lateral aspect of the dNC complex, termed Ndl, is characterized by afferents from the Neostriatum frontale, pars trigeminalis (NFT), and by the lack of a thalamic input. Results indicate that the dNC complex comprises distinct subregions, which are characterized by their specific afferents from parasensory areas of different sensory modalities. These different subregions may be integral components of a general pattern of sensory processing in the avian telencephalon. The strong interconnections between Nd, Ndc, and MNH as well as IMHV may constitute essential parts of auditory and visual imprinting circuits. J. Comp. Neurol. 395:380–404, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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organization of the dorsocaudal neostriatal complex a retrograde and anterograde tracing study in the domestic chick with special emphasis on pathways relevant to imprinting
The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 1998Co-Authors: Martin Metzger, Shucui Jiang, Katharina BraunAbstract:In the forebrain of domestic chicks, a network of distinct regions is crucially involved in auditory and visual filial imprinting. Among these areas, a distinct part of the dorsocaudal neostriatal complex (dNC complex), termed Neostriatum dorsocaudale (Ndc), was recently discovered by its enhanced metabolic activity during the presentation of auditory and visual imprinting stimuli. Since there is evidence that the dNC complex consists of several distinct functional subareas, we investigated the neural connections of different parts of the dNC complex by retro- and anterograde pathway tracing. Special emphasis was put on the connections of the dNC complex with other imprinting relevant regions in the rostral telencephalon, such as the mediorostral Neostriatum/hyperstriatum ventrale (MNH) and the intermediate and medial part of the hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV). By anterograde and multiple retrograde pathway tracing, we found that the dNC complex may at least be subdivided into three major constituents. The most medial part of the dNC complex, termed Neostriatum dorsale (Nd), is characterized by strong reciprocal connections with the neostriatal part of the MNH and by its auditory related inputs, including those from the output layers L1 and L3 of field L, and the shell region of the thalamic n. ovoidalis. The Ndc, which occupies the central aspects of the dNC complex, is mainly characterized by reciprocal connections with the ectostriatal belt (Ep) and the adjacent Neostriatum (N). Furthermore, Nd and Ndc receive strong thalamic input from the n. dorsolateralis posterior (DLP), both project to the IMHV, and both are reciprocally connected with the archistriatum intermedium (AI). The most lateral aspect of the dNC complex, termed Ndl, is characterized by afferents from the Neostriatum frontale, pars trigeminalis (NFT), and by the lack of a thalamic input. Results indicate that the dNC complex comprises distinct subregions, which are characterized by their specific afferents from parasensory areas of different sensory modalities. These different subregions may be integral components of a general pattern of sensory processing in the avian telencephalon. The strong interconnections between Nd, Ndc, and MNH as well as IMHV may constitute essential parts of auditory and visual imprinting circuits.
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organization of the dopaminergic innervation of forebrain areas relevant to learning a combined immunohistochemical retrograde tracing study in the domestic chick
The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 1996Co-Authors: Martin Metzger, Shucui Jiang, Jizhong Wang, Katharina BraunAbstract:The mediorostral Neostriatum/hyperstriatum ventrale (MNH) and Neostriatum dorsocaudale (Ndc) of the domestic chick are crucially involved in auditory filial imprinting, whereas the lobus parolfactorius (LPO) seems to be involved in the emotional modulation of behavior. Because there is evidence that MNH and Ndc are akin to higher association areas in mammals, the present study evaluates the dopaminergic and thalamic input to these areas, as well as to the avian caudate/putamen homologue LPO, by using retrograde pathway tracing, together with dopamine (DA) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry. By combining DA immunohistochemistry with retrograde fluorescent tracing, we demonstrated that dopaminergic afferents to the MNH and Ndc arise mainly from the area ventralis, whereas the main dopaminergic input to the LPO arises from the substantia nigra. The main thalamic input to the MNH and LPO arises from the dorsal thalamic nuclei, n. dorsomedialis anterior and n. dorsolateralis anterior, whereas the thalamic input to the Ndc arises from the n. dorsolateralis posterior and n. subrotundus. Furthermore, there are reciprocal intratelencephalic connections between distinct parts of the Neostriatum caudale and the mediorostral Neostriatum. DA-immunoreactive (ir) fibers are present at moderate densities in the MNH and Ndc and at high densities in the LPO. At the ultrastructural level, DA- and TH-ir axon terminals in the MNH and Ndc form predominantly symmetric synaptic contacts with dendritic shafts, which are often situated in close vicinity to unstained terminals. These results indicate that the general organization of dopaminergic afferents to the chick telecephalon is similar to that of the mesotelencephalic dopaminergic subsystems in mammals such as the mesostriatal and mesolimbocortical DA system. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Jonathan A Stamford - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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time window of autoreceptor mediated inhibition of limbic and striatal dopamine release
Synapse, 2002Co-Authors: Paul E M Phillips, Pamela J Hancock, Jonathan A StamfordAbstract:Forebrain dopamine release is under the local control of D2 family (D2 and D3) autoreceptors. In this study, autoreceptor-mediated modulation of forebrain dopamine release was investigated using amperometry in brain slices following local electrical stimulation. 350 microm-thick slices of nucleus accumbens or dorsolateral Neostriatum were prepared from male Wistar rats (150-200 g) and superfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid at 32 degrees C. Dopamine release was evoked by electrical pulses (0.1 ms, 10 mA) across bipolar tungsten stimulating electrodes and measured at carbon fibre microelectrodes using fixed potential amperometry (+300 mV vs. Ag/AgCl). Peak dopamine release on stimulation (single pulse) was 0.75 microM (Neostriatum) and 1.37 microM (nucleus accumbens). Metoclopramide (1 microM) had no significant effect on DA efflux from a single pulse in either region. Using paired pulse stimuli, dopamine release on the second pulse varied according to the interval between the two pulses. At very long intervals (>20 sec), dopamine release was similar to that for the first pulse. At shorter intervals, dopamine efflux was attenuated. Metoclopramide had no effect on second pulse dopamine release when the pulse was applied at short ( 5.0 sec) intervals after the first. At intermediate intervals, metoclopramide significantly increased second pulse dopamine release. The peak dopamine autoreceptor effect occurred at approximately 550 ms in Neostriatum and approximately 700 ms in nucleus accumbens. The onset time is due both to diffusion of dopamine from the release sites to the autoreceptors and receptor-effector mechanisms. These findings may have implications for the local control of forebrain dopamine function in physiological and pathological states.
Shucui Jiang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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organization of the dorsocaudal neostriatal complex a retrograde and anterograde tracing study in the domestic chick with special emphasis on pathways relevant to imprinting
The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 1998Co-Authors: Martin Metzger, Shucui Jiang, Katharina BraunAbstract:In the forebrain of domestic chicks, a network of distinct regions is crucially involved in auditory and visual filial imprinting. Among these areas, a distinct part of the dorsocaudal neostriatal complex (dNC complex), termed Neostriatum dorsocaudale (Ndc), was recently discovered by its enhanced metabolic activity during the presentation of auditory and visual imprinting stimuli. Since there is evidence that the dNC complex consists of several distinct functional subareas, we investigated the neural connections of different parts of the dNC complex by retro- and anterograde pathway tracing. Special emphasis was put on the connections of the dNC complex with other imprinting relevant regions in the rostral telencephalon, such as the mediorostral Neostriatum/hyperstriatum ventrale (MNH) and the intermediate and medial part of the hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV). By anterograde and multiple retrograde pathway tracing, we found that the dNC complex may at least be subdivided into three major constituents. The most medial part of the dNC complex, termed Neostriatum dorsale (Nd), is characterized by strong reciprocal connections with the neostriatal part of the MNH and by its auditory related inputs, including those from the output layers L1 and L3 of field L, and the shell region of the thalamic n. ovoidalis. The Ndc, which occupies the central aspects of the dNC complex, is mainly characterized by reciprocal connections with the ectostriatal belt (Ep) and the adjacent Neostriatum (N). Furthermore, Nd and Ndc receive strong thalamic input from the n. dorsolateralis posterior (DLP), both project to the IMHV, and both are reciprocally connected with the archistriatum intermedium (AI). The most lateral aspect of the dNC complex, termed Ndl, is characterized by afferents from the Neostriatum frontale, pars trigeminalis (NFT), and by the lack of a thalamic input. Results indicate that the dNC complex comprises distinct subregions, which are characterized by their specific afferents from parasensory areas of different sensory modalities. These different subregions may be integral components of a general pattern of sensory processing in the avian telencephalon. The strong interconnections between Nd, Ndc, and MNH as well as IMHV may constitute essential parts of auditory and visual imprinting circuits. J. Comp. Neurol. 395:380–404, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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organization of the dorsocaudal neostriatal complex a retrograde and anterograde tracing study in the domestic chick with special emphasis on pathways relevant to imprinting
The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 1998Co-Authors: Martin Metzger, Shucui Jiang, Katharina BraunAbstract:In the forebrain of domestic chicks, a network of distinct regions is crucially involved in auditory and visual filial imprinting. Among these areas, a distinct part of the dorsocaudal neostriatal complex (dNC complex), termed Neostriatum dorsocaudale (Ndc), was recently discovered by its enhanced metabolic activity during the presentation of auditory and visual imprinting stimuli. Since there is evidence that the dNC complex consists of several distinct functional subareas, we investigated the neural connections of different parts of the dNC complex by retro- and anterograde pathway tracing. Special emphasis was put on the connections of the dNC complex with other imprinting relevant regions in the rostral telencephalon, such as the mediorostral Neostriatum/hyperstriatum ventrale (MNH) and the intermediate and medial part of the hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV). By anterograde and multiple retrograde pathway tracing, we found that the dNC complex may at least be subdivided into three major constituents. The most medial part of the dNC complex, termed Neostriatum dorsale (Nd), is characterized by strong reciprocal connections with the neostriatal part of the MNH and by its auditory related inputs, including those from the output layers L1 and L3 of field L, and the shell region of the thalamic n. ovoidalis. The Ndc, which occupies the central aspects of the dNC complex, is mainly characterized by reciprocal connections with the ectostriatal belt (Ep) and the adjacent Neostriatum (N). Furthermore, Nd and Ndc receive strong thalamic input from the n. dorsolateralis posterior (DLP), both project to the IMHV, and both are reciprocally connected with the archistriatum intermedium (AI). The most lateral aspect of the dNC complex, termed Ndl, is characterized by afferents from the Neostriatum frontale, pars trigeminalis (NFT), and by the lack of a thalamic input. Results indicate that the dNC complex comprises distinct subregions, which are characterized by their specific afferents from parasensory areas of different sensory modalities. These different subregions may be integral components of a general pattern of sensory processing in the avian telencephalon. The strong interconnections between Nd, Ndc, and MNH as well as IMHV may constitute essential parts of auditory and visual imprinting circuits.
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organization of the dopaminergic innervation of forebrain areas relevant to learning a combined immunohistochemical retrograde tracing study in the domestic chick
The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 1996Co-Authors: Martin Metzger, Shucui Jiang, Jizhong Wang, Katharina BraunAbstract:The mediorostral Neostriatum/hyperstriatum ventrale (MNH) and Neostriatum dorsocaudale (Ndc) of the domestic chick are crucially involved in auditory filial imprinting, whereas the lobus parolfactorius (LPO) seems to be involved in the emotional modulation of behavior. Because there is evidence that MNH and Ndc are akin to higher association areas in mammals, the present study evaluates the dopaminergic and thalamic input to these areas, as well as to the avian caudate/putamen homologue LPO, by using retrograde pathway tracing, together with dopamine (DA) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry. By combining DA immunohistochemistry with retrograde fluorescent tracing, we demonstrated that dopaminergic afferents to the MNH and Ndc arise mainly from the area ventralis, whereas the main dopaminergic input to the LPO arises from the substantia nigra. The main thalamic input to the MNH and LPO arises from the dorsal thalamic nuclei, n. dorsomedialis anterior and n. dorsolateralis anterior, whereas the thalamic input to the Ndc arises from the n. dorsolateralis posterior and n. subrotundus. Furthermore, there are reciprocal intratelencephalic connections between distinct parts of the Neostriatum caudale and the mediorostral Neostriatum. DA-immunoreactive (ir) fibers are present at moderate densities in the MNH and Ndc and at high densities in the LPO. At the ultrastructural level, DA- and TH-ir axon terminals in the MNH and Ndc form predominantly symmetric synaptic contacts with dendritic shafts, which are often situated in close vicinity to unstained terminals. These results indicate that the general organization of dopaminergic afferents to the chick telecephalon is similar to that of the mesotelencephalic dopaminergic subsystems in mammals such as the mesostriatal and mesolimbocortical DA system. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.