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The feedback circuit connecting the central mesencephalic reticular formation and the superior colliculus in the macaque monkey: tectal connections

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Abstract

The connectional and physiological characteristics of the central mesencephalic reticular formation (cMRF) indicate that it participates in gaze control. The cMRF receives projections from the ipsilateral superior colliculus (SC) via collaterals of predorsal bundle axons. These collaterals target cMRF neurons, which in turn project back upon the SC. In the present study, we examined the pattern of connections made by the cMRF reticulotectal projection by injecting the bidirectional neuroanatomical tracer, biotinylated dextran amine (BDA), into the cMRF of macaque monkeys. Anterogradely labeled reticulotectal terminals were found bilaterally in the SC, with an ipsilateral predominance, and were concentrated in the intermediate gray layer (SGI). BDA also retrogradely labeled SC neurons projecting to the cMRF. These labeled tectoreticular cells were located mainly in SGI. Injection site specific differences in the SC labeling pattern were evident, suggesting the lateral cMRF is more heavily connected to the upper sublamina of SGI, whereas the medial cMRF is more heavily connected with the lower sublamina. In view of the known downstream connections of the cMRF and these SC sublaminae, this organization intimates that the cMRF may contain subdivisions specialized to modulate the eye and the head components of gaze changes. In addition, reticulotectal terminals were observed to have close associations with retrogradely labeled tectoreticular cells in the ipsilateral SC, indicating possible synaptic contacts. Thus, the cMRF’s reciprocal connections with the SC suggest this structure plays a role in defining the gaze-related bursting behavior of collicular output neurons.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr. Olga Golanov for her excellent histological work and help in the production of the figures. We are indebted to Dr. John McHaffie for his thoughtful comments on an earlier draft of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA

    Lan Zhou, Susan Warren & Paul J. May

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA

    Paul J. May

  3. Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA

    Paul J. May

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  1. Lan Zhou
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  2. Susan Warren
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  3. Paul J. May
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Correspondence to Paul J. May.

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Zhou, L., Warren, S. & May, P.J. The feedback circuit connecting the central mesencephalic reticular formation and the superior colliculus in the macaque monkey: tectal connections. Exp Brain Res 189, 485–496 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-008-1444-3

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