Histological confirmation of visual precto-vestibular pathways in cats.

• Project/Area Number: 08671991
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Otorhinolaryngology
• Research Institution: St.Marianna University School of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: KATO Isao St.Marianna University School of Medicine Professor, 医学部, 教授 (90018375)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): SATO Shigeki St.Marianna University School of Medicine Lecturer, 医学部, 講師 (30225940)
• Project Period (FY): 1996 – 1997
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 1997)
• Budget Amount: ¥2,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,000,000); Fiscal Year 1997: ¥400,000 (Direct Cost: ¥400,000); Fiscal Year 1996: ¥1,600,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,600,000)
• Keywords: OKN / NOT / mVN / NHP / dextran fluorescein / dextran tetramethyl rhodamine / diamino yellow / 舌下神経周囲核 / 下オリーブ

Research Abstract

The nucleus of the optic tract (NOT) plays an essential role in optokinetic nystagmus. To evaluate how the NOT can influence structures that move the eyes, we injected biocytin as anterograde tracer into the NOT.The NOT sent its heaviest projections to the contralateral NOT, the ipsilateral dorsolateral pontine nucleus and the ipsilateral dorsal cap of the inferior olive. The NOT sent lighter, but consistent, projections to the other visual and oculomotor-related areas involving the ipsilateral nucleus prepositus hypoglossi (NPH) and the rostral area of the medial vestibular nucleus (VN). Secondary, to determine the distributions and populations in the NOT from the NPH, medial VN and dorsal cap, we injected Fast blue into the dorsal cap, Dextran fluorescein into the NPH and Dextran tetramethylrhodamine into the medial VN in the same animals. As a result, the labeled cells from the NPH distributed throughout the NOT, whereas those from the rostral area of the medial VN located in the middle area of the NOT.A few double-labeling cells from both the NPH and dorsal cap were observed in the NOT.No triple labeling was observed. Thus, NOT includes at least four independent relay cell populations.

Research Products

• [Publications] Kato I, Watanabe S, Shintani T: "Distribution and population of labeled cell in the nucleus of The optic tract in cats" Journal of Vestibular Research. 6. S7 (1996)
  • Description: 「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
• [Publications] Watanabe S, KATO I, Shintani T, Sato S: "A retrograde-labeling investigation of the visual pretecto-vestibular pathways in cats." Neuroscience Letters. (accepted).
  • Description: 「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
• [Publications] 加藤 功: "OKNの皮質下経路" Equilibrium Research. (投稿中).
  • Description: 「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
• [Publications] Kato I,Watanabe S,Shintani T: "Distribution and population of labeled cells in the nucleus of the optic tract in cats" Journal of Vestibular Research. 6. S7 (1996)
• [Publications] Watanabe S,Kato I,Shintani T,Sato S: "A retrograde-labeling investigation of the visual pretecto-Vestibular puthways in cats" Neuroscience Letters. (accepted).
• [Publications] Kato I,Sato S et al.: "Distribution and populations of the labelled cells in the nucleus of the optic tract in cats." J. Vest Res.6. S7 (1996)