Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Topography of visual and somatosensory inputs to the pontine nuclei in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)

Gaede, AH; Gutiérrez-Ibáñez, C; Wu, PH; Pilon, MC; Altshuler, DL; Wylie, DR

Authors

AH Gaede

C Gutiérrez-Ibáñez

PH Wu

MC Pilon

DL Altshuler

DR Wylie



Abstract

Birds have a comprehensive network of sensorimotor projections extending from the forebrain and midbrain to the cerebellum via the pontine nuclei, but the organization of these circuits in the pons is not thoroughly described. Inputs to the pontine nuclei include two retinorecipient areas, nucleus lentiformis mesencephali (LM) and nucleus of the basal optic root (nBOR), which are important structures for analyzing optic flow. Other crucial regions for visuomotor control include the retinorecipient ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (GLv), and optic tectum (TeO). These visual areas, together with the somatosensory area of the anterior (rostral) Wulst, which is homologous to the primary somatosensory cortex in mammals, project to the medial and lateral pontine nuclei (PM, PL). In this study, we used injections of fluorescent tracers to study the organization of these visual and somatosensory inputs to the pontine nuclei in zebra finches. We found a topographic organization of inputs to PM and PL. The PM has a lateral subdivision that predominantly receives projections from the ipsilateral anterior Wulst. The medial PM receives bands of inputs from the ipsilateral GLv and the nucleus laminaris precommisulis, located medial to LM. We also found that the lateral PL receives a strong ipsilateral projection from TeO, while the medial PL and region between the PM and PL receive less prominent projections from nBOR, bilaterally. We discuss these results in the context of the organization of pontine inputs to the cerebellum and possible functional implications of diverse somato-motor and visuomotor inputs and parcellation in the pontine nuclei.

Citation

Gaede, A., Gutiérrez-Ibáñez, C., Wu, P., Pilon, M., Altshuler, D., & Wylie, D. (2023). Topography of visual and somatosensory inputs to the pontine nuclei in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Journal of Comparative Neurology, https://doi.org/10.1002/cne.25556

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 17, 2023
Online Publication Date Nov 8, 2023
Publication Date 2023
Deposit Date Dec 20, 2023
Publicly Available Date Dec 20, 2023
Print ISSN 0021-9967
Electronic ISSN 1096-9861
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/cne.25556
Keywords avian; lentiformis mesencephali; nucleus of the basal optic root; optic tectum; pons; pretectum; RRID:SCR_013673; RRID:SCR_01419; somatosensory Wulst; PIGEON COLUMBA-LIVIA; BASAL OPTIC ROOT; LENTIFORMIS MESENCEPHALI; ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS; E

Files




You might also like



Downloadable Citations