An investigation of the basic principle of feeding behavior: gustatory cortical mapping by a single neuron labeling method

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26750043
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Eating habits
• Research Institution: Kagoshima University
• Principal Investigator: Iwai Haruki 鹿児島大学, 医歯学域歯学系, 助教 (30452949)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 味覚 / 視床 / 神経回路

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To reveal an overview of projections from gustatory related thalamus to the caudate putamen (CPu) and cerebral cortex, we analyzed cell groups and single neurons in these brain areas using morphological and physiological methods. As a result, the oval paracentral nucleus of the thalamus projected to the ventrocentral CPu; ventrolateral parafascicular nucleus projected to the ventrolateral CPu; caudal central medial nucleus, ventromedial parafascicular nucleus, and retroreuniens area projected to the ventromedial CPu; and parvicellular part of the posteromedial ventral nucleus (VPMpc) projected to the interstitial nucleus of the posterior limb of the anterior commissure. Furthermore, the caudal central medial nucleus and VPMpc projected to the insular cortex. These results suggest that projections from gustatory related thalamus to the ventral CPu are topographically organized. Projections from gustatory related thalamus to the insular cortex are currently under analysis.

Free Research Field

神経解剖学