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The ferret auditory cortex: descending projections to the inferior colliculus

Abstract:
Descending corticofugal projections are thought to play a critical role in shaping the responses of subcortical neurons. Here, we examine the origins and targets of ferret auditory corticocollicular projections. We show that the ectosylvian gyrus (EG), where the auditory cortex is located, can be subdivided into middle, anterior, and posterior regions according to the pattern of cytochrome oxidase staining and immunoreactivity for the neurofilament antibody SMI32. Injection of retrograde tracers in the inferior colliculus (IC) labeled large layer V pyramidal cells throughout the EG and adjacent sulci. Each region of the EG has a different pattern of descending projections. Neurons in the primary auditory fields in the middle EG project to the lateral nucleus (LN) of the ipsilateral IC and bilaterally to the dorsal cortex and dorsal part of the central nucleus (CN). The projection to these dorsomedial regions of the IC is predominantly ipsilateral and topographically organized. The secondary cortical fields in the posterior EG target the same midbrain areas but exclude the CN of the IC. A smaller projection to the ipsilateral LM also arises from the anterior EG, which is the only region of auditory cortex to target tegmental areas surrounding the IC, including the superior colliculus, periaqueductal gray, intercocollicular connectivity is consistent with regional differences in physiological properties and provides another basis for subdividing ferret auditory cortex into functionallly distinct areas.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1093/cercor/bhj164

Authors


More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Physiology Anatomy & Genetics
Research group:
Oxford Auditory Neuroscience Group
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Physiology Anatomy & Genetics
Research group:
Oxford Auditory Neuroscience Group
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Physiology Anatomy & Genetics
Research group:
Oxford Auditory Neuroscience Group
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
Medical Research Council Institute of Hearing Research, University Park, Nottingham, UK
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Physiology Anatomy & Genetics
Research group:
Oxford Auditory Neuroscience Group
Role:
Author


Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Journal:
Cerebral Cortex More from this journal
Volume:
17
Issue:
2
Pages:
475-491
Publication date:
2007-02-01
Edition:
Publisher's version
DOI:
EISSN:
1460-2199
ISSN:
1047-3211


Language:
English
Keywords:
Subjects:
UUID:
uuid:0dadd83f-7a73-4011-b16d-a111594ddfd5
Local pid:
ora:1653
Deposit date:
2008-03-14

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