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Mapping of multisynaptic inputs from the midbrain, diencephalon, and cerebral cortex to phrenic motoneurons using transneuronal transport of rabies virus N2C in the cat
Author(s) -
Lois James H,
Rice Cory D,
Mehta Ajeet S,
Mehta Amar S,
Kalash Ronny,
Yates Bill J
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.954.2
Subject(s) - zona incerta , midbrain , neuroscience , diencephalon , biology , ventral tegmental area , superior colliculus , periaqueductal gray , thalamus , anatomy , locus coeruleus , nucleus , hypothalamus , central nervous system , dopamine , dopaminergic
The transneuronal tracer rabies virus N2C can be utilized to the multisynaptic inputs controlling the activity of a muscle, since infected neurons do not quickly exhibit lysis or pathology. In the present study, we injected rabies virus N2C into the diaphragm of cats in order to map the locations of neurons in the midbrain, diencephalon, and cerebral cortex that participate in regulating breathing. Labeled cells in these regions were not evident until after a large number of brainstem neurons were infected, suggesting that the higher centers regulate diaphragm activity indirectly through connections with bulbospinal pathways. The earliest‐infected neurons in the midbrain were located in the nucleus coeruleus, red nucleus, periaqueductal gray, Edinger‐Westphal nucleus, and tegmental fields. When infection became more advanced, additional midbrain areas also exhibited labeling, including the cuneiform nucleus, raphe nuclei, inferior colliculus, and substantia nigra. The earliest‐infected diencephalon neurons were observed in the dorsal and lateral hypothalamic nuclei, although animals with advanced infections also exhibited labeling in a number of hypothalamic areas, the ventral tegmental area, zona incerta, fields of Forel, and a variety of other regions. The first‐infected cortical neurons were located anterior and posterior to the cruciate sulcus (motor cortex), as well as in prefrontal cortical areas. These data suggest that a complex, distributed network of neurons indirectly contributes to controlling diaphragm contractions.