Summary
Corticals cells projecting to the dorsal column nuclei (DCN) of Rhesus monkeys have been identified after unilateral or bilateral injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the dorsal medulla. HRP-positive neurons identifiable as the source of cortico-DCN projections were pyramidal cells in layer V whose largest diameters ranged from 12–31 μm. Cortico-DCN neurons were concentrated in the trunk, fore- and hindlimb regions of area 4 and of SI, and to a lesser extent in SII. This distribution is comparable to the topographical distribution of cortico-DCN neurons in cats. However, cortico-DCN neurons in monkeys are also numerous in at least part of the supplementary motor cortex and in area 5. The results suggest that cortical neurons in several different cytoarchitectonic areas may exert direct control upon cells in the DCN and that the functional role of cortico-DCN projections ought not be viewed as a simple “feedback” system.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- centr. s.:
-
central sulcus
- cingul. s.:
-
cingulate sulcus
- cun:
-
cuneate nucleus
- ec:
-
external cuneate nucleus
- FAL:
-
cytoarchitectonic area indicated as such by von Bonin and Bailey (1947)
- gr:
-
gracile nucleus
- hyp:
-
hypoglossal nucleus
- intrap(ar) s.:
-
intraparietal sulcus
- pyr:
-
pyramids
- sp(in) V:
-
spinal trigeminal complex
References
Blomquist, A.J., Lorenzini, C.A.: Projection of dorsal roots and sensory nerves to cortical sensory motor regions of squirrel monkey. J. Neurophysiol. 28, 1195–1205 (1965)
Bonin, G. von, Bailey, P.: The Neocortex of Macaca mulatta. Urbana: Univ. of Ill. Press 1947
Gordon, G., Miller, R.: Identification of cortical cells projecting to the dorsal column nuclei of the cat. Quart. J. exp. Physiol. 54, 85–98 (1969)
Graham, R.C., Karnovsky, M.J.: Glomerular permeability. Ultrastructural cytochemical studies using peroxidases as protein tracers. J. exp. Med. 14, 291–302 (1966)
Jones, E.G.: Cells of origin of efferent projections from the monkey first somatic sensory area. Neuroscience Abstracts. 2, 913 (1976)
Jones, E.G., Powell, T.P.S.: Connections of the somatic sensory cortex of the Rhesus monkey. I. Ipsilateral cortical connections. Brain Res. 92, 504–531 (1969)
Kristensson, K., Olsson, Y.: Retrograde axonal transport of protein. Brain Res. 29, 363–365 (1971)
Kuypers, H.G.J.M.: Some projections from the pericentral cortex to the pons and lower brain stem in monkey and chimpanzee. J. comp. Neurol. 110, 221–255 (1958)
Kuypers, H.G.J.M.: Central cortical projections to motor and somatosensory cell groups. Brain 83, 161–184 (1960)
La Vail, J.H., Winston, K.H., Tish, A.: A method based on retrograde intraaxonal transport of protein for identification of cell bodies of origin of axons terminating within the central nervous system. Brain Res. 58, 470–477 (1973)
Norton, A.C., Kruger, L.: The dorsal column system of the spinal cord. An updated review, pp. 73–74. Brain Information Service, U.C.L.A. 1969
Penfield, W., Jasper, H.H.: Epilepsy and the functional anatomy of the human brain. Boston: Little Brown, Ch. 3 1954
Powell, T.P.S., Mountcastle, V.B.: The cytoarchitecture of the postcentral gyrus of the monkey Macaca mulatta. Bull. Johns Hopk. Hosp. 105, 108–132 (1959)
Sakata, H., Takaoka, Y., Kawarasaki, A., Shibutani, H.: Somatosensory properties of neurons in the superior parietal cortex (area 5) of the Rhesus monkey. Brain Res. 64, 85–102 (1973)
Towe, A.L.: Somatosensory cortex: descending influences on ascending systems. In: Handbook of Sensory Physiology, Vol. 2 (ed. A. Iggo), pp. 701–718. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1973
Weisberg, J.A., Rustioni, A.: Cortical cells projecting to the dorsal column nuclei of cats. An anatomical study with the horseradish peroxidase technique. J.comp. Neurol. 168, 425–438 (1976)
Whitsel, B.L., Petrucelli, L.M., Werner, G.: Symmetry and connectivity in the map of the body surface in somatosensory area II of primates. J. Neurophysiol. 32, 170–183 (1969)
Woolsey, C.N.: Patterns of localization in sensory and motor areas of the cerebral cortex. In: The Biology of Mental Health and Disease, pp. 193–206. New York: Hoeber 1952
Woolsey, C.N.: Organization of somatic sensory and motor areas of the cerebral cortex. In: The Biological and Biochemical Bases of Behavior (eds. H.F. Harlow and C.N. Woolsey), pp. 63–81. Madison: Univ. of Wisconsin Press 1958
Woolsey, C.N., Settlage, P.H., Meyer, D.R., Spencer, W., Hamuy, T.P., Travis, A.M.: Patterns of localization in Precentral and “supplementary” motor areas and their relation to the concept of a premotor area. Res. Publ. Ass. nerv. ment. Dis. 30, 238–264 (1952)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph. D. in Neurobiology (J.A.W.), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Weisberg, J.A., Rustioni, A. Cortical cells projecting to the dorsal column nuclei of Rhesus monkeys. Exp Brain Res 28, 521–528 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00236474
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00236474