Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 280, Issue 1, 28 November 1983, Pages 148-154
Brain Research

Intracellular staining of physiologically identified neurons and axons in the somatosensory thalamus of the cat

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(83)91183-6Get rights and content

Abstract

Neurons and axons responding to somesthetic stimulation in the thalamic ventrobasal complex (VB) were characterized electrophysiologically by intracellular recording and then individually injected with horseradish peroxidase. Two types of thalamocortical relay neuron were identified, primarily of the basis of dendritic morphology and axon diameter. Types with cutaneous or deep receptive fields were found in each class. Neither type had collateral axons in VB but each gave branches to the thalamic reticular nucleus (RTN). Small putative interneurons in VB and RTN neurons with somatosensory receptive fields were also injected. The RTN neurons had profusely branched widely ramifying axons in VB and adjoining nuclei. Injected medial lemniscal axons in VB had a range of receptive field properties and conduction velocities and ended in elongated anteroposterior domains with one or more dense concentrations of terminal boutons of varying size and with varying numbers of boutons.

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    Supported in part by Grant number NS10526 from the National Institutes of Health, United States Public Health Service and by the Washington University McDonnell Center.

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