システムニューロサイエンス教育講座 ９．垂直眼球運動の神経機構 Ｃａｊａｌ間質核の入出力

Abstract

Immunocytochemical studies and fiber-tracing studies were performed in adult cats to analyze the input-output organization of the interstitial nucleus of Cajal.Glutamate and aspartate immunoreactivity produced intense labelling of many cell bodies and terminals in the interstitial nucleus of Cajal and its adjacent reticular formation (Nint-RF). GABA immunoreactivity in the Nint-RF showed no labelling in cell bodies and strong labelling in the terminals. Some choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons and terminals, and a few substance P-positive fine fibers were also observed in the Nint-RF.Following WGA-HRP injection in the Nint-RF, many labelled neurons were found in the zona incerta (ZI), the Forel's field H (FF), the rostral interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus (riMLF), the Nint, the nucleus of the posterior commissure (NPC), the pretectum, the superior colliculus, the dorsal tegmental nucleus, the locus coeruleus, all cerebellar nuclei, the superior and medial vestibular nuclei, the dorsal group y, the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi (PH), and the pontomedullary reticular formation (PMRF). Many labelled terminals were observed in the thalamic central lateral and parafascicular nuclei, the ZI, the FF, the riMLF, the Nint, the NPC, the magnocellular red nucleus, the oculomotor nucleus, the trochlear nucleus, the facial nucleus, the medial and desending vestibular nuclei, the ventral group y, the PH, the PMRF, the medial part of the vetrolateral outgrowth, the rostral part of the dorsal cap, the caudal parts of the medial and dorsal accessory olive, and the spinal cord.The nomenclature of the cat mesodiencephalic structure was also described: the nucleus of Darkschewitsch, the nucleus accessorius medialis of Bechterew, the FF, the riMLF, the Nint, the suprarubral reticulal formation, and the subnucleus dorsomedialis and ventrolateralis of the parvicellular red nucleus. All of these nuclei fuse with each other, and the borders do not always remain apparent.