Differences in anatomical connections across distinct areas in the rodent prefrontal cortex

Bedwell, Stacey A. and Billett, E. Ellen and Crofts, Jonathan J. and Tinsley, Chris J. (2017) Differences in anatomical connections across distinct areas in the rodent prefrontal cortex. European Journal of Neuroscience, 45 (6). pp. 859-873. ISSN 0953816X

Preview

Text BEDWELL_2017_EJN.pdf - Accepted Version Download (4MB)

Abstract

Prefrontal cortex (PFC) network structure is implicated in a number of complex higher-order functions and with a range of neurological disorders. It is therefore vital to our understanding of PFC function to gain an understanding of its underlying anatomical connectivity. Here, we injected Fluoro-Gold and Fluoro-Ruby into the same sites throughout rat PFC. Tracer injections were applied to two coronal levels within the PFC (anterior +4.7 mm to bregma and posterior +3.7 mm to bregma). Within each coronal level, tracers were deposited at sites separated by approximately 1 mm and located parallel to the medial and orbital surface of the cortex. We found that both Fluoro-Gold and Fluoro-Ruby injections produced prominent labelling in temporal and sensory-motor cortex. Fluoro-Gold produced retrograde labelling and Fluoro-Ruby largely produced anterograde labelling. Analysis of the location of these connections within temporal and sensory-motor cortex revealed a consistent topology (as the sequence of injections was followed mediolaterally along the orbital surface of each coronal level). At the anterior coronal level, injections produced a similar topology to that seen in central PFC in earlier studies from our laboratory (i.e. comparing equivalently located injections employing the same tracer), this was particularly prominent within temporal cortex. However, at the posterior coronal level this pattern of connections differed significantly, revealing higher levels of reciprocity, in both temporal cortex and sensory-motor cortex. Our findings indicate changes in the relative organization of connections arising from posterior in comparison to anterior regions of PFC, which may provide a basis to determine how complex processes are organized.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1111/ejn.13521
Dates:	Date Event 16 February 2017 Published Online 6 January 2017 Accepted
Subjects:	CAH04 - psychology > CAH04-01 - psychology > CAH04-01-01 - psychology (non-specific)
Divisions:	Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences > College of Psychology
Depositing User:	Silvio Aldrovandi
Date Deposited:	19 Jun 2017 09:44
Last Modified:	11 Jun 2024 13:03
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/4688

Actions (login required)

View Item