Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
1989-5-5
pubmed:abstractText
The dorsal nucleus of the lateral lemniscus (DNLL) and its connections constitute one of the ascending auditory pathways to the inferior colliculus. One notable feature of this nucleus is the heavy commissural connections between DNLL on opposite sides of the midbrain. These commissural connections may have a significant impact on the ascending pathway. In this study, the fine structure of DNLL in the cat and its commissural connections were examined. Both anterograde and retrograde transport methods were used simultaneously at the EM level. Injections of 3H-leucine mixed with WGA-HRP were made in one DNLL. After axonal transport, EM autoradiographic methods were used to identify the anterogradely labeled axonal endings from the opposite DNLL. In the same location, retrogradely labeled neurons with crossed connections were identified with HRP histochemistry. Two types of axonal endings were found in DNLL, those with round synaptic vesicles forming asymmetrical synaptic junctions and those with pleomorphic vesicles and symmetrical synapses. Both types were equally common. However, only endings with pleomorphic vesicles were labeled after injections in the contralateral DNLL. The labeled endings from the opposite DNLL appeared to represent a homogeneous population, even though a number of variations in the 2 types of endings were found. Labeled endings were presynaptic to all parts of neurons in DNLL, but a large proportion of the synapses were on cell bodies and large dendrites. Two patterns of nuclear morphology and distribution of rough endoplasmic reticulum were identified and may represent different cell types. Examples of both cell types were observed to project to the contralateral side and received labeled synaptic endings. The major finding of this study is that the crossed connections between DNLL exhibit the morphology associated with inhibitory function. Since neurons in DNLL are thought to use GABA as a neurotransmitter, the crossed connections could provide inhibitory inputs to DNLL on each side. Since some neurons receive numerous axosomatic inputs from the contralateral DNLL and also project to the opposite side, they may participate in direct reciprocal, inhibitory connections between the nuclei. Crossed inhibitory connections in the DNLL pathway may be important in regulating the flow of ascending auditory information.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
0270-6474
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
9
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
967-82
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1989
pubmed:articleTitle
An EM study of the dorsal nucleus of the lateral lemniscus: inhibitory, commissural, synaptic connections between ascending auditory pathways.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Anatomy, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06032.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.