An HRP study in the monkey of olivary projections from the mesodiencephalic structures with particular reference to pretecto-olivary neurons.

Abstract

The cells of origin of the olivary projection from mesodiencephalic structures have been demonstrated in the Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata) with the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) method. Particular attention has been paid to the pretecto-olivary projection which is entirely ipsilateral and originates from the nucleus of the optic tract (NOT), the posterior (or principal) pretectal nucleus (PPN), the sublentiform nucleus (SL), and the (pretectal) ventral lateral zone (VLZ). Pretecto-olivary cells are small-medium sizes of oval or fusiform types. To facilitate comparison among the findings of several experiments, a diagram of the macaque olive, as visualized unfolded, was constructed (Fig. 1). Although a topographic correlation has not emerged clearly from the present experiments, the pattern of the pretecto-olivary projection in the monkey appears to be similar to that found in the cat. Participation of some of the pretectal nuclei in the optokinetic nystagmus and the vestibulo-ocular reflex is discussed in connection with the pretecto-olivary and olivocerebellar projections.