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Tract Tracing and Histological Techniques

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Lateralized Brain Functions

Part of the book series: Neuromethods ((NM,volume 122))

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Abstract

Since the 1970s, a multitude of studies has proven that brain asymmetries are not unique to humans, but a common feature in vertebrate and even in invertebrate species. While the majority of these studies have focused mainly on the behavioral aspect of these asymmetries, an increasing number of studies have also investigated the underlying brain structure of lateralized behavior. In this chapter, we will concentrate on summarizing studies that have applied histological methods to unravel the cellular basis of neuronal lateralization. In recent years, two methods have been of particular importance to this field. The first method, neuronal tract tracing, can be used to analyze possible asymmetries in the connectivity pattern of a given area. The second method, immunohistochemistry, has been developed to localize specific neurochemically specified components within tissue slices and has been used to identify asymmetries in number, position, or morphology of specific neuron types, or in the distribution of certain receptors. By providing a detailed description of the theoretical background, applications, required materials, as well as a troubleshooting guide for the most common problems for both methods, we would like to encourage scientists working in lateralization research to perform more studies on the anatomical basis of brain asymmetries.

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Abbreviations

ABC:

Avidin-biotin complex

CtB:

Cholera toxin B

DAB:

3,3′-Diaminobenzidine

DMSO:

Dimethyl sulfoxide

FG:

FluoroGold

GABA:

Gamma-aminobutyric acid

HIER:

Heat-induced epitope retrieval

HRP:

Horseradish peroxidase

IEG:

Immediate early gene

IHC:

Immuno histochemistry

PB:

Phosphate buffer

PBS:

Phosphate buffered saline

PFA:

Paraformaldehyde

PHA-L:

Phaseolus vulgaris Leucoagglutinin

PIER:

Protease-induced epitope retrieval

RITC:

Rhodamine B isocyanate

WGA:

Wheat Germ Agglutinin

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Brendon Billings, Alexis Garland, Rena Klose, Sara Letzner, Martina Manns, Sebastian Ocklenburg, Annika Simon, Martin Stacho, and John Tuff for fruitful discussions, helpful comments, and aid during acquisition of images.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Biopsychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780, Bochum, Germany

    Felix Ströckens & Onur Güntürkün

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  1. Felix Ströckens
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  2. Onur Güntürkün
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Correspondence to Felix Ströckens .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, Australia

    Lesley J. Rogers

  2. Centre for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Trento, Trento, Italy

    Giorgio Vallortigara

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Ströckens, F., Güntürkün, O. (2017). Tract Tracing and Histological Techniques. In: Rogers, L., Vallortigara, G. (eds) Lateralized Brain Functions. Neuromethods, vol 122. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6725-4_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6725-4_9

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