Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The ventral lateral geniculate nucleus, pars lateralis of the rat

Synaptic organization and conditions for axonal sprouting

  • Published:
Cell and Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The synaptic organization of the pars lateralis portion of the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus is similar to that of other thalamic nuclei. There are four types of synaptic knobs (RL, RS, F1, F2). RL knobs are large and irregularly shaped, contain round synaptic vesicles and make multiple asymmetrical junctions. They are found primarily in “synaptic islands” making contact with gemmules, spines, small dendrites, and other synaptic profiles containing pleiomorphic synaptic vesicles (F2). Smaller RS knobs contain round vesicles and make asymmetrical junctions with the same type of elements as RL knobs, with the exception of the F2 profiles, but are seldom found in synaptic islands. F1 knobs contain flattened synaptic vesicles and form symmetrical junctions with F2 knobs, gemmules, spines, and small-medium dendrites in synaptic islands, throughout the neuropil, and on the proximal dendrites and soma of the largest type of neuron. F2 knobs are irregularly shaped, contain pleiomorphic synaptic vesicles and make symmetrical junctions primarily with gemmules and spines in synaptic islands. They are postsynaptic to RL and F1 knobs. Occipital decortication indicates that cortical terminals are of the RS type. Bilateral enucleation indicates that retinal terminals are of both the RL and RS type. The large amount of geographic overlap of retinal and cortical terminals on gemmules, spines, and small dendrites found in the neuropil outside of synaptic islands logically would maximize axonal sprouting between these two sources.

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

References

  • Cunningham, T.J.: Sprouting of the optic projection after cortical lesions. Anat. Rec. 172, 298 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, S.B., Rosenquist, A.C., Palmer, L.A.: An autoradiographic study of ventral lateral geniculate projections in the cat. Brain Res. 72, 282–287 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Famiglietti, E.V., Jr.: Dendro-dendritic synapses in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat. Brain Res. 20, 181–191 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Famiglietti, E.V., Jr., Peters, A.: The synaptic glomerulus and the intrinsic neuron in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat. J. comp. Neurol. 144, 285–334 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldberger, M.E., Murray, M.: Restitution of function and collateral sprouting in the cat spinal cord: The deafferented animal. J. comp. Neurol. 158, 37–54 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, D.C., Bogdasarian, R.S., Horel, J.A.: Axonal sprouting of ipsilateral optic tract following opposite eye removal. Brain Behav. Evol. 8, 27–50 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, D.C., Horel, J.A.: Sprouting of optic tract projections in the brain stem of the rat. J. comp. Neurol. 127, 71–88 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Graybiel, A.M.: Visuo-cerebellar and cerebello-visual connections involving the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus. Exp. Brain Res. 20, 303–306 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Grossman, A., Lieberman, A.R., Webster, K.E.: A Golgi study of the rat dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. J. comp. Neurol. 150, 441–466 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Guillery, R.W.: The organization of synaptic interconnections in the laminae of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat. Z. Zellforsch. 96, 1–38 (1969a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Guillery, R.W.: A quantitative study of synaptic interconnections in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat. Z. Zellforsch. 96, 39–48 (1969b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Guillery, R.W.: Experiments to determine whether retinogeniculate axons can form translaminar collateral sprouts in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat. J. comp. Neurol. 146, 407–420 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Guillery, R.W., Colonnier, M.: Synaptic patterns in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the monkey. Z. Zellforsch. 103, 90–108 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Guillery, R.W., Scott, G.L.: Observations on synaptic patterns in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat: The C laminae and the perikaryal synapses. Exp. Brain Res. 12, 184–203 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hámori, J.: Presynaptic-to-presynaptic axon contacts under experimental conditions giving rise to rearrangement of synaptic structures. In: Structure and function of inhibitory neuronal mechanisms, pp. 71–81 (eds. C. von Euler, S. Skoglund, and U. Söderberg). Wenner-Gren Center Internat. Symp. Series, Vol. 10. Oxford: Pergamon 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, E.G., Powell, T.P.S.: Electron microscopy of synaptic glomeruli in the thalamic relay nuclei of the cat. Proc. roy. Soc. B 172, 153–171 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerr, F.W.L.: The potential of cervical primary afferents to sprout in the spinal nucleus of V following long term trigminal denervation. Brain Res. 43, 547–560 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerr, F.W.L.: Neuroplasticity of primary afferents in the neo-natal cat and some results of early deafferentation of the trigeminal spinal nucleus. J. comp. Neurol. 163, 305–328 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kriebel, R.M.: Neurons of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the albino rat. J. comp. Neurol. 159, 45–68 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lieberman, A.R.: Neurons with presynaptic perikarya and presynaptic dendrites in the rat lateral geniculate nucleus. Brain Res. 59, 35–59 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lieberman, A.R., Webster, K.E.: Presynaptic dendrites and a distinctive class of synaptic vesicle in the rat dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. Brain Res. 42, 196–200 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lieberman, A.R., Webster, K.E.: Aspects of the synaptic organization of intrinsic neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. J. Neurocytol. 3, 677–710 (1974a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lieberman, A.R., Webster, K.E.: Ultrastructural observations on the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGd) of the rat following optic nerve transection. J. Anat. (Lond.) 118, 383–385 (1974b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, C.N., Chambers, W.W.: Intraspinal sprouting of dorsal root axons. Arch. Neurol. Psychiat. (Chic.) 79, 46–61 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, C.N., Liu, C.Y.: Role of afferents in maintenance of dendritic morphology. Anat. Rec. 169, 369 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lund, R.D., Cunningham, T.J.: Aspects of synaptic and laminar organization of the mammalian lateral geniculate body. Invest. Opthal. 11, 291–301 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lund, R.D., Cunningham, T.J., Lund, J.S.: Modified optic projections after unilateral eye removal in young rats. Brain Behav. Evol. 8, 51–72 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lund, R.D., Lund, J.S.: Synaptic adjustment after deafferentation of the superior colliculus of the rat. Science 171, 804–807 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch, G., Matthews, D.A., Mosko, S., Parks, T., Cotman, C.: Induced acetylcholinesterase-rich layer in rat dentate gyrus following entorhinal lesions. Brain Res. 42, 311–318 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch, G., Stanfield, B., Cotman, C.W.: Developmental differences in post-lesion axonal growth in the hippocampus. Brain Res. 59, 155–168 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch, G., Stanfield, B., Parks, T., Cotman, C.W.: Evidence for selective postlesion axonal growth in the dentate gyrus of the rat. Brain Res. 69, 1–11 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathers, L.H.: Ultrastructure of the pulvinar of the squirrel monkey. J. comp. Neurol. 146, 15–42 (1972a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathers, L.H.: The synaptic organization of the cortical projection to the pulvinar of the squirrel monkey. J. comp. Neurol. 146, 43–60 (1972b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathers, L.H., Mascetti, G.G.: Electrophysiological and morphological properties of neurons in the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus of the rabbit. Exp. Neurol. 46, 506–520 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • McWilliams, J.R., Lynch, G.S., Cotman, C.W.: Synaptic reinnervation in the inner molecular layer of the dentate gyrus following partial deafferentation: An electron microscope study in the rat. Neurosci. Abstr. 1, 517 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, R.Y., Björklund, A., Stenevi, U.: Plastic changes in the adrenergic innervation of the rat septal area in response to denervation. Brain Res. 33, 13–35 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Morest, D.K.: Dendrodendritic synapses of cells that have axons: The fine structure of the Golgi type II cell in the medial geniculate body of the cat. Z. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch. 133, 216–246 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, M., Goldberger, M.: Restitution of function and collateral sprouting in the cat spinal cord: The partially hemisected animal. J. comp. Neurol. 158, 19–36 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nadler, J.V., Cotman, C.W., Lynch, G.S.: Biochemical plasticity of short-axon interneurons: Increased glutamate decarboxylase activity in the denervated area of rat dentate gyrus following entorhinal lesion. Exp. Neurol. 45, 403–413 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura, Y., Mizuno, N., Konishi, A., Sato, M.: Synaptic reorganization of the red nucleus after chronic deafferentation from cerebellorubral fibers: an electron microscope study in the cat. Brain Res. 82, 298–301 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Raisman, G.: Neuronal plasticity in the septal nuclei of the adult rat. Brain Res. 14, 25–48 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Raisman, G., Field, P.M.: A quantitative investigation of the development of collateral reinnervation after partial deafferentation of the septal nuclei. Brain Res. 50, 241–264 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ralston, H.J. III: The synaptic organization of lemniscal projections to the ventrobasal thalamus of the cat. Brain Res. 14, 99–115 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ralston, H.J. III, Chow, K.L.: Synaptic reorganization in the degenerating lateral geniculate nucleus of the rabbit. J. comp. Neurol. 147, 321–350 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ralston, H.J. III, Herman, M.M.: The fine structure of neurons and synapses in the ventrobasal thalamus of the cat. Brain Res. 14, 77–97 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rose, J.E., Woolsey, C.N.: Organization of the mammalian thalamus and its relationships to the cerebral cortex. Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol. 1, 391–404 (1949)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rustioni, A., Molenaar, I.: Dorsal column nuclei afferents in the lateral funiculus of the cat: Distribution pattern and absence of sprouting after chronic deafferentation. Exp. Brain Res. 23, 1–13 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rustioni, A., Sotelo, C.: Some effects of chronic deafferentation on the ultrastructure of the nucleus gracilis of the cat. Brain Res. 73, 527–533 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, G.E., Jhaveri, S.R.: Neuroanatomical correlates of spared or altered function after brain lesions in the newborn hamster. In: Plasticity and recovery of function in the central nervous system, pp. 65–109 (eds. D.G. Stein, J.J. Rosen, and N. Butters). New York: Academic Press 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Stenevi, U., Björklund, A., Moore, R.Y.: Morphological plasticity of central adrenergic neurons. Brain Behav. Evol. 8, 110–134 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Steward, O., Colman, C.W., Lynch, G.S.: Growth of a new fiber projection in the brain of adult rats: Re-innervation of the dentate gyrus by the contralateral entorhinal cortex following ipsilateral entorhinal lesions. Exp. Brain Res. 20, 45–66 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Swanson, L.C., Cowan, W.M., Jones, E.G.: An autoradiographic study of the efferent connections of the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus in the albino rat and the cat. J. comp. Neurol. 156, 143–164 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Szentágothai, J., Hámori, J., Tömböl, T.: Degeneration and electron microscope analysis of the synaptic glomeruli in the lateral geniculate body. Exp. Brain Res. 2, 283–301 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsukahara, N., Hultborn, H., Murakami, F., Fujito, Y.: Electrophysiological study of formation of new synapses and collateral sprouting in red nucleus after partial denervation. J. Neurophysiol. 38, 1359–1373 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Valdivia, O.: Methods of fixation and the morphology of synaptic vesicles. J. comp. Neurol. 142, 257–274 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Westrum, L.E., Black, R.G.: Fine structural aspects of the synaptic organization of the spinal trigeminal nucleus (pars interpolaris) of the cat. Brain Res. 25, 265–287 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • White, E.L., Nolan, F.D.: Absence of reinnervation in the chinchilla medial superior olive. Anat. Rec. 178, 486 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zimmer, J.: Proximity as a factor in the regulation of aberrant axonal growth in postnatally deafferented fascia dentata. Brain Res. 72, 137–142 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Ronald H. Baisden

    Present address: Department of Anatomy, University of Illinois Medical Center, 60612, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Upstate Medical Center, State University of New York, Syracuse, New York, USA

    Dennis J. Stelzner, Ronald H. Baisden & Donald C. Goodman

Authors
  1. Dennis J. Stelzner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ronald H. Baisden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Donald C. Goodman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

We would like to thank Mr. Peter Rossetti for his excellent technical assistance on a major portion of this project, Ms. Judith Strauss for photographic assistance, and Ms. Nancy Wood for typing. Supported by grants NS 10579, NS 08724, 5 S01 RR 05402, and 2 T01 GM 00326

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stelzner, D.J., Baisden, R.H. & Goodman, D.C. The ventral lateral geniculate nucleus, pars lateralis of the rat. Cell Tiss. Res. 170, 435–454 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00361703

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00361703

Key words

Search

Navigation