Afferent projections to the parafascicular thalamic nucleus of the rat, as shown by the retrograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin

Abstract

Afferent projections to the parafascicular nucleus of the rat have been mapped using the retrograde transport of unconjugated wheat germ agglutinin and immunohistochemistry using very short survival times. Retrogradely labelled neurones were found in laminae V and V1 of primary motor cortex, lamina V1 of primary somatosensory cortex, and deep laminae of gustatory cortex; in the reticular thalamic nucleus and zona incerta; and in the caudate-putamen, entopeduncular nucleus, mesencephalic reticular formation and pretectum. Additional label was found in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus, dorsal and ventral parabrachial nuclei, vestibular nuclei and the lateral cervical, medial and interpositus nuclei of the cerebellum. These results are discussed in the context of the connections of parafascicular nucleus with the motor system, particularly the basal ganglia. Of particular interest are inputs from laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, nucleus reticularis of thalamus, mesencephalic reticular formation, nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus, primary motor cortex and deep cerebellar nuclei. These indicate that the parafascicular nucleus lies at an interface between the reticular activating system on the one hand, and the motor system on the other. This result thus enlarges on present concepts of the parafascicular nucleus. Comparison of afferent projections to a variety of non-specific thalamic nuclei, the parafascicular, paraventricular and mediodorsal thalamic nuclei, indicate a remarkable set of topographic parallels from cortical, reticular thalamic, hypothalamic and brainstem sites. These comparisons provide clues as to the organisational principles of these non-specific thalamic nuclei, particularly in the context of the reticular activating system.