Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Responses of neurons of the frog nucleus isthmi to optic nerve stimulation

  • Published:
Neurophysiology Aims and scope

Abstract

Responses of single units in the region of the nucleus isthmi were investigated in frogs immobilized with diplacin by means of extracellular capillary liquid microelectrodes. The neurons of this region were not spontaneously active and, after electrical stimulation of the contralateral optic nerve with a single pulse, they gave a single spike discharge with a minimal latent period of 20–110 msec. On increasing the strength of stimulation from threshold to maximal these latent periods were significantly reduced, indicating marked development of summation processes in the corresponding neuronal pathway. Only 14% of the neurons (7 of 57) discharged in response to stimuli exciting myelinated but not exciting unmyelinated optic fibers. All neurons were characterized by instability of the latent period of the evoked discharge; consequently, they were not excited antidromically. The possible functional role of the nucleus isthmi region in the Anura is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  1. N. P. Veselkin and N. Kovačevič, "Nonolfactory afferent telencephalic projections in frogs," Neirofiziologiya,5, 537 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  2. V. M. Vinogradova and Yu. B. Manteifel', "Axon composition of the marginal and basal optic tracts ofRana temporaria," Neirofiziologiya,8, 54 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  3. V. I. Gusel'nikov and A. S. Luk'yanov, "Excitation and inhibition processes in the visual center of the frogRana temporaria," Neirofiziologiya,3, 637 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Yu. B. Manteifel', Evoked Potentials of the Mesencephalic Visual Center of Amphibians [in Russian], Nauka, Moscow (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Yu. B. Manteifel' and L. N. D'yachkova, "Ultrastructure and functional characteristics of the optic nerve ofRana temporaria L. under normal conditions and after degeneration," Neirofiziologiya,2, 627 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Yu. B. Manteifel' and G. D. Smirnov, "The action of γ-aminobutyric acid and picrotoxin on reactive potentials of the tectum opticum of the frog and axolotl," Izvest. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Ser. Biol., 98 (1964).

  7. L. M. Nomokonova, "Retino-tegmental projections in the frogRana temporaria," Zh. Évol. Biokhim. Fiziol.,4, 367 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  8. P. Buser, "Analyses des responses éléctriques du lobe optique à la stimulation de la voie visuelle chez quelques vertébrés inférieurs," Thèses Fac. Sci. Univ. Paris, Ser. A, No. 2703 (1955).

  9. K. U. A. Kappers, G. C. Huber, and E. C. Crosby, The Comparative Anatomy of the Nervous System of Vertebrates, Including Man, Vol. 2, Macmillan, New York (1936).

    Google Scholar 

  10. O. Larsell, "The nucleus isthmi of the frog," J. Comp. Neurol.,36, 309 (1924).

    Google Scholar 

  11. G. Lázár, "Efferent pathways of the optic tectum in the frog," Acta Biol. Acad. Sci. Hung.,20, 171 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  12. B. Liège and G. Galand, "Single-unit visual responses in the frog's brain," Vision Res.,12, 609 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  13. F. A. Miles, "Centrifugal control of the avian retina. III. Effects of electrical stimulation of the isthmooptic tract on the receptive field properties of retinal ganglion cells," Brain Res.,48, 115 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  14. K. Rubinson, "Projections of the tectum opticum of the frog," Brain Behav. Evol.,1, 529 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  15. S. C. Shen, P. Greenfield, and E. J. Boell, "The distribution of cholinesterase in the frog brain," J. Comp. Neurol.,102, 717 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  16. A. M. Zacchei, "Sul significato del nucleo dell'istmo in base ad osservazioni in Anfibi anuri," Rend. Acc. Naz. Lincei, Ser. VIII,16, 552 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  17. A. M. Zacchei, "Indagine sperimentale sur valore morfologico o funzionale del nucleo dell'istmo degli Anfibi anuri," La Ricera Scientifica,26, 876 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. V. M. Vinogradova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yu. B. Manteifel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

A. N. Severtsov Institute of Evolutionary Morphology and Ecology of Animals, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 33–40, January–February, 1977.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vinogradova, V.M., Manteifel, Y.B. Responses of neurons of the frog nucleus isthmi to optic nerve stimulation. Neurophysiology 9, 24–29 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01063540

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01063540

Keywords

Search

Navigation