Microconnectomics of the Pretectum and Ventral Thalamus in the Chicken (Gallus gallus)
Author
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Vega Zúñiga, Tomás
Author
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Marín, Gonzalo
Author
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González Cabrera, Cristian
Author
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Planitscher, Eva
Author
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Hartmann, Anja
Author
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Marks, Vanessa
Author
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Mpodozis Marín, Jorge
Author
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Luksch, Harald
Admission date
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2017-01-31T19:59:08Z
Available date
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2017-01-31T19:59:08Z
Publication date
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2016
Cita de ítem
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The Journal of Comparative Neurology 524:2208–2229 (2016)
es_ES
Identifier
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10.1002/cne.23941
Identifier
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https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/142803
Abstract
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The avian pretectal and ventrothalamic nuclei, encompassing the griseum tectale (GT), n. lentiformis mesencephali (LM), and n. geniculatus lateralis pars ventralis (GLv), are prominent retinorecipient structures related to optic flow operations and visuomotor control. Hence, a close coordination of these neural circuits is to be expected. Yet the connectivity among these nuclei is poorly known. Here, using intracellular labeling and in situ hybridization, we investigated the detailed morphology, connectivity, and neurochemical identity of neurons in these nuclei. Two different cell types exist in the GT: one that generates an axonal projection to the optic tectum (TeO), LM, GLv, and n. intercalatus thalami (ICT), and a second population that only projects to the LM and GLv. In situ hybridization revealed that most neurons in the GT express the vesicular glutamate transporter (VGluT2) mRNA, indicating a glutamatergic identity. In the LM, three morphological cell types were defined, two of which project axons towards dorsal targets. The LM neurons showed strong VGluT2 expression. Finally, the cells located in the GLv project to the TeO, LM, GT, n. principalis precommisuralis (PPC), and ICT. All neurons in the GLv showed strong expression of the vesicular inhibitory amino acid transporter (VIAAT) mRNA, suggesting a GABAergic identity. Our results show that the pretectal and ventrothalamic nuclei are highly interconnected, especially by glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons from the GT and GLv, respectively. This complex morphology and connectivity might be required to organize orienting visuomotor behaviors and coordinate the specific optic flow patterns that they induce.
es_ES
Patrocinador
dc.description.sponsorship
Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Cientifico y Technologico 1151432 1120124