Elsevier

Experimental Neurology

Volume 62, Issue 2, November 1978, Pages 298-334
Experimental Neurology

Ascending tracts of the lateral columns of the rat spinal cord: A study using the silver impregnation and horseradish peroxidase techniques

https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-4886(78)90059-6Get rights and content

Abstract

The location of projection areas and cells of origin of the ascending fiber tracts of the spinal cord lateral columns were examined in the rat. Projection areas were localized after unilateral microtransection of lateral column fibers at C2 or T10, using silver impregnation of preterminal and fiber degeneration. Cells of origin were localized by unilateral microtransection and subsequent application of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Two groups of fibers projected to the dorsal medulla. One group projected to nucleus intercalatus, commissuralis, and the dorsal column nuclei. The second group projected via the inferior cerebellar peduncle to the vestibular complex, with additional fibers continuing dorsally to the cerebellum. The most extensive system of ascending fibers projected to the reticular formation. Most spinoreticular fibers coursed through the ventral hindbrain and projected to the lateral reticular nucleus, ventral reticular nucleus, nucleus gigantocellularis, and nucleus subceruleus. Spinotectal and spinocentral gray fibers coursed through the ventral portion of the medulla and then dorsally through the pons. Spinocentral gray fibers projected to the caudal portion of the central gray matter, ipsilaterally. Spinotectal fibers projected to the intercollicular nucleus and adjacent portions of the superior colliculus, bilaterally. Two projections to the thalamus were observed after anterolateral column transection. Preterminal degeneration was observed in the ventrobasal complex ipsilaterally, and bilaterally in the intralaminar nuclei. In conjunction with previous results the present HRP data suggest that the cells of origin of spinothalamic tract fibers were situated in laminae IV, V, and VI. The location of spinal cord cells of origin of additional ascending tracts is discussed.

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    We wish to thank Gabriele Zummer for her technical assistance and help in preparing the manuscript. Supported by National Institutes of Health grants HD-05751 (to D.W.P.), NS-12458, and NS-13516 (to C.M.L.) and U.S. Public Health Service award HD-05238 (to F.P.Z.).

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