Rat posterior parietal cortex: topography of corticocortical and thalamic connections.

摘要: Anatomical and functional findings support the contention that there is a distinct posterior parietal cortical area (PPC) in rat, situated between rostrally adjacent hindlimb sensorimotor caudally secondary visual areas. The PPC distinguished from these areas by receiving thalamic afferents lateral dorsal (LD), (LP), (Po) nuclei, absence of input ventrobasal complex (VB) or geniculate (DLG) nuclei. Behavioral studies have demonstrated involved spatial orientation directed attention. In present study we used fluorescent retrograde axonal tracers primarily to investigate connections PPC, order determine organization circuitry which likely participate functions, also how topography its differs neighboring involve ventrolateral (VLO) medial (MO) orbital areas, agranular cortex (area Fr2), portions somatic sensory Par1 Par2, Oc2M Oc2L, auditory Tel, retrosplenial cortex. Oc2L are similar those but restricted within VLO, Fr2 caudal portion, do not Te1. largely motor Retrosplenial cortex, medially has prominent with include presubiculum. We conclude pattern sensory, Fr2, VLO/MO, addition exclusive connectivity LD, LP Po. Because recent behavioral indicate VLO attention learning, suggest interconnections among three represent major component for functions rats.