Ml. Rodrigoangulo et F. Reinososuarez, AFFERENT CONNECTIONS OF THE LATERALIS MEDIALIS THALAMIC NUCLEUS IN THE CAT, Brain research bulletin, 38(1), 1995, pp. 53-67
We have used anterograde and retrograde horseradish peroxidase tracing
methods in this study. Peroxidase injections in the lateralis mediali
s thalamic nucleus (LM) of the cat resulted in labeled neurons in cort
ical and subcortical structures that averaged 71% and 29%, respectivel
y. Every LM sector receives abundant projections from the polymodal sy
lvian anterior cortical area, the reticular thalamic nucleus, and the
stratum opticum and intermediate layer of the superior colliculus. Les
s abundant but consistent projections were detected in cingular, audit
ory II, lateral suprasylvian and anterior ectosylvian visual cortices,
and cortical area 7. A topographical distribution of afferent connect
ions to different LM sectors arising from other cortical and subcortic
al structures could be established. The ventromedial sector receives c
onnections mainly from the insular agranular, limbic and prefrontal co
rtical areas, as well as from brain stem structures and the contralate
ral pretectal region, The dorsolateral sector is mainly related to cor
tical areas and subcortical structures processing visual information.
The existence of overlap among neuronal LM populations receiving and s
ending connections to and from various cortical areas suggests that th
is nucleus is an appropriate substrate for effective interaction betwe
en different and distant cortical areas.