Overlap of connections of fingertip representations in the somatosensory cortex of the squirrel monkey

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Overlap of connections of fingertip representations in the somatosensory cortex of the squirrel monkey Emese Pálfi1*, Anna W. Roe2, Robert Friedmann2, Li M. Chen3, Barbara C. Dillenburger3, Cory Palmer4 and László Négyessy1 1 Pázmány Péter Catholic University - Hungarian Academy of Sciences - Semmelweis University, Neurobionics Research Group, Hungary 2 Vanderbilt University, Department of Psychology, United States 3 Vanderbilt University, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, United States 4 Hungarian Academy of Science, Alfréd Rényi Institute of Mathemathics, Hungary Connections between functional fingertip representations of the somatosensory cortex could play fundamental role in complex tactile functions including gripping, grasping, haptic exploration and manipulation in the primates. We combined optical imaging with tract tracing techniques to study the extent and pattern of overlap between intrinsic and extrinsic cortical connections of the tip representations of digits D2 and D4 within area 3b as well as areas 1, 2 and 3a, respectively. Individual fingertips formed the highest density of connections within the tip representation around the injection site in area 3b. Both anterograde as well as retrograde labeling formed an additional mediolaterally oriented distribution occupying the representation of neighboring or even more distant fingers in area 3b. Anterograde and retrograde labeling exhibited a similar pattern of overlap. In all cortical areas analyzed, regions of considerable input to both of the injected loci exhibited lower than average density of retrograde labeling either after D2 or D4 injections. However, spots of higher density labeling could also be identified as sources of common inputs to the tip region of D2 and D4. In area 1 notable overlap of connections was identified within the presumed representation of the injected fingers. In contrast, overlap of connections did not exhibit a clear somatotopic segregation in presumed areas 2 and 3a. Connectional overlap was especially dense in area 2. These findings suggest that tactile stimuli to individual fingertips interact via intrinsic and interareal connections in a topographically organized manner in areas 3b and 1, respectively. On the other hand, the apparent lack of connectional topography in areas 2 and 3a suggest a less important role for somatotopy in the functional organization of these somatosensory cortices. Conference: IBRO International Workshop 2010, Pécs, Hungary, 21 Jan - 23 Jan, 2010. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Sensory and motor systems Citation: Pálfi E, Roe AW, Friedmann R, Chen LM, Dillenburger BC, Palmer C and Négyessy L (2010). Overlap of connections of fingertip representations in the somatosensory cortex of the squirrel monkey. Front. Neurosci. Conference Abstract: IBRO International Workshop 2010. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2010.10.00256 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 05 May 2010; Published Online: 05 May 2010. * Correspondence: Emese Pálfi, Pázmány Péter Catholic University - Hungarian Academy of Sciences - Semmelweis University, Neurobionics Research Group, Budapest, Hungary, palfi.emese@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Emese Pálfi Anna W Roe Robert Friedmann Li M Chen Barbara C Dillenburger Cory Palmer László Négyessy Google Emese Pálfi Anna W Roe Robert Friedmann Li M Chen Barbara C Dillenburger Cory Palmer László Négyessy Google Scholar Emese Pálfi Anna W Roe Robert Friedmann Li M Chen Barbara C Dillenburger Cory Palmer László Négyessy PubMed Emese Pálfi Anna W Roe Robert Friedmann Li M Chen Barbara C Dillenburger Cory Palmer László Négyessy Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.