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Mapping of brain activity in mesencephalic and diencephalic structures of toads during presentation of visual key stimuli: a computer assisted analysis of (14C)2DG autoradiographs

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Summary

The (14C)2DG autoradiographic technique has been employed to quantitatively map glucose utilization in the mesencephalon, the diencephalon and the cerebellum, of toads in response to configurational moving visual stimuli: (i) a 0.4 cm × 2.8 cm worm-like stripe (W) which elicited prey catching responses, (ii) a 8.4 cm × 8.4 cm square (S) that released predator avoidance responses, and (iii) a 2.8 cm × 0.4 cm antiworm-like stripe (A) which elicited no motor activity.

For various brain nuclei different relationships were obtained: The optic tectum showed statistical significant higher 2DG uptake during worm-stimulation (¯X W) than during antiworm stimulation (¯X A), i.e.¯X W>¯X A. The latter visual pattern led to a 2DG utilization that was statistically significant stronger than during stimulation with a square (¯X S), i.e.¯X A>¯X S. Thus, in comparison between right and left hemisphere as well as between brains the following ratios were obtained:

Optic tectum:¯X W>¯X A>¯X S; nucleus isthmi:¯X W>¯X A-¯X s; posterodorsal lateral thalamic nucleus:¯X S>¯X A>¯X W; posteroventral lateral thalamic nucleus:¯X S>¯X A≃¯X W; posterior thalamic nucleus:¯X W>¯X A≃¯X S; anteripr division of the lateral thalamic nucleus:¯X W>¯X A≃¯X S; anterior thalamic nucleus:¯X A>¯X S>¯X W; nucleus of Bellonci and dorsal division of the ventrolateral thalamic nucleus:¯X W≃¯X A≃¯X S; cerebellum:¯X S≃¯X W>¯X A.

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Abbreviations

A :

anterior thalamic nucleus

Cb :

cerebellum

Hyp :

hypothalamus

Ist :

nucleus isthmi

cl. Ist :

contralateral Ist

La :

lateral thalamic nucleus, anterior division

Lpd :

lateral thalamic nucleus, posterodorsal division

Lpv :

lateral thalamic nucleus, posteroventral division

MP :

medial pallium

NB/VLd :

nucleus of Bellonci and ventrolateral thalamic nucleus, dorsal division

P :

posterior thalamic nucleus

PO :

preoptic area

Sna :

snapping evoking area=ventrolateral tectum

Str :

striatum

Tec :

tectum opticum

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroethology and Biocybernetics Laboratories, University of Kassel, Postfach 101380, D-3500, Kassel, Germany

    T. Finkenstädt & J. -P. Ewert

  2. Psychology Department, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA

    N. T. Adler & T. O. Allen

  3. Medical Center, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, USA

    S. O. E. Ebbesson

Authors
  1. T. Finkenstädt
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  2. N. T. Adler
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  3. T. O. Allen
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  4. S. O. E. Ebbesson
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  5. J. -P. Ewert
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Finkenstädt, T., Adler, N.T., Allen, T.O. et al. Mapping of brain activity in mesencephalic and diencephalic structures of toads during presentation of visual key stimuli: a computer assisted analysis of (14C)2DG autoradiographs. J. Comp. Physiol. 156, 433–445 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00613968

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00613968

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