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Neurons of the medial terminal accessory optic nucleus of the rat are poorly collateralized

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2009

R. J. Clarke ,
R. A. Giolli ,
R. H. Blanks ,
Y. Torigoe  and
J. H. Fallon
R. J. Clarke
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, California College of Medicine, University of California, Irvine Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Cidade Universitaria, Recife 50.000 PE, Brazil
R. A. Giolli
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, California College of Medicine, University of California, Irvine
R. H. Blanks
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, California College of Medicine, University of California, Irvine Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, California College of Medicine, University of California, Irvine
Y. Torigoe
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, California College of Medicine, University of California, Irvine Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, California College of Medicine, University of California, Irvine
J. H. Fallon
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, California College of Medicine, University of California, Irvine
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Abstract

The vast majority of neurons of the rat medial terminal nucleus (MTN) project to the nucleus of the optic tract (NOT), but the MTN also projects to a lesser degree upon a number of other brainstem nuclei controlling optokinetic nystagmus. Because of the diversity of targets of the MTN, it is possible that individual neurons have branched axons that project to two or more brainstem nuclei. The possibility that axons of MTN-NOT neurons collateralize to innervate other MTN targets is examined in the rat with the fluorescent, double-labeling, retrograde tracer technique. Fluoro-Gold was injected into the NOT while Fast Blue was simultaneously injected into each of five other known targets of the MTN: the supraoculomotor-periaqueductal gray; the dorsal cap of the inferior olive; the visual tegmental relay zone; the dorsolateral nucleus of the basal pons; and the superior/lateral vestibular nuclei. Brainstem sections were processed for fluorescence microscopy and the MTN was examined for single- and double-labeled neurons. Results show that virtually all neurons of the MTN (>97.5%), together with neurons in the visual tegmental relay zone immediately surrounding the MTNd, are single-labeled in all paired injections involving the NOT and the other target nuclei. It was found that about 69% of MTN neurons project exclusively to the NOT, 5–10% project to each one of the other nuclei, and 3% of MTN neurons project to more than one target. Based upon cell counts from the fluorescent material, and previous analysis of Nissl-stained serial sections, the findings show that virtually all MTN neurons are projection neurons. It was concluded that the MTN is comprised of independent projection systems, possibly involved in different aspects of generating optokinetic nystagmus.

Keywords

Accessory optic systemMedial terminal nucleusBrainstem oculomotor centersAxonal collateralizationFluorescent double labelingFluoro-GoldFast BlueRat
Type
Research Article
Information
Visual Neuroscience , Volume 2 , Issue 3 , March 1989 , pp. 269 - 273
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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