Do first order and higher order regions of the thalamic reticular nucleus have different developmental timetables?

The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) supplies an important inhibitory input to the dorsal thalamus. Previous studies in non-primate mammals have suggested that the visual sector of the TRN has a lateral division, which has connections with first-order (primary) sensory thalamic and cortical areas, and a medial division, which has connections with higher-order (association) thalamic and cortical areas. However, the question whether the primate TRN is segregated in the same manner is controversial. Here, we investigated the connections of the TRN in a New World primate, the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). The topography of labeled cells and terminals was analyzed following iontophoretic injections of tracers into the primary visual cortex (V1) or the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGNd). The results show that rostroventral TRN, adjacent to the LGNd, is primarily connected with primary visual areas, while the most caudal parts of the TRN are associated with higher order visual thalamic areas. A small region of the TRN near the caudal pole of the LGNd (foveal representation) contains connections where first (lateral TRN) and higher order visual areas (medial TRN) overlap. Reciprocal connections between LGNd and TRN are topographically organized, so that a series of rostrocaudal injections within the LGNd labeled cells and terminals in the TRN in a pattern shaped like rostrocaudal overlapping “fish scales.” We propose that the dorsal areas of the TRN, adjacent to the top of the LGNd, represent the lower visual field (connected with medial LGNd), and the more ventral parts of the TRN contain a map representing the upper visual field (connected with lateral LGNd).

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Two dynamically distinct circuits driving inhibition in sensory thalamus

10.1101/2020.04.16.044487 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rosa I. Martinez-Garcia ◽

Bettina Voelcker ◽

Julia B. Zaltsman ◽

Saundra L. Patrick ◽

Tanya R. Stevens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sensory Information ◽

Cell Types ◽

Higher Order ◽

Inhibitory Neurons ◽

Thalamic Reticular Nucleus ◽

Reticular Nucleus ◽

Order Structure ◽

Multiple Sources ◽

Cell Groups ◽

And Function

AbstractMost sensory information destined for the neocortex is relayed through the thalamus, where considerable transformation occurs1,2. One powerful means of transformation involves interactions between excitatory thalamocortical neurons that carry data to cortex and inhibitory neurons of the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) that regulate flow of those data3-6. Despite enduring recognition of its importance7-9, understanding of TRN cell types, their organization, and their functional properties has lagged that of the thalamocortical systems they control.Here we address this, investigating somatosensory and visual circuits of the TRN. In the somatosensory TRN we observed two groups of genetically defined neurons that are topographically segregated, physiologically distinct, and connect reciprocally with independent thalamocortical nuclei via dynamically divergent synapses. Calbindin-expressing cells, located in the central core, connect with the ventral posterior nucleus (VP), the primary somatosensory thalamocortical relay. In contrast, somatostatin-expressing cells, residing along the surrounding edges of TRN, synapse with the posterior medial thalamic nucleus (POM), a higher-order structure that carries both top-down and bottom-up information10-12. The two TRN cell groups process their inputs in pathway-specific ways. Synapses from VP to central TRN cells transmit rapid excitatory currents that depress deeply during repetitive activity, driving phasic spike output. Synapses from POM to edge TRN cells evoke slower, less depressing excitatory currents that drive more persistent spiking. Differences in intrinsic physiology of TRN cell types, including state-dependent bursting, contribute to these output dynamics. Thus, processing specializations of two somatosensory TRN subcircuits appear to be tuned to the signals they carry—a primary central subcircuit to discrete sensory events, and a higher-order edge subcircuit to temporally distributed signals integrated from multiple sources. The structure and function of visual TRN subcircuits closely resemble those of the somatosensory TRN. These results provide fundamental insights about how subnetworks of TRN neurons may differentially process distinct classes of thalamic information.

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Different Topography of the Reticulothalmic Inputs to First- and Higher-Order Somatosensory Thalamic Relays Revealed Using Photostimulation

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.00782.2007 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 98 (5) ◽

pp. 2903-2909 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Ying-Wan Lam ◽

S. Murray Sherman

Keyword(s):

Laser Scanning ◽

Higher Order ◽

Gabaergic Neurons ◽

Thalamic Reticular Nucleus ◽

Reticular Nucleus ◽

Local Inhibition ◽

Strategic Position ◽

Almost All ◽

Laser Scanning Photostimulation ◽

Lateral Nucleus

The thalamic reticular nucleus is a layer of GABAergic neurons that occupy a strategic position between the thalamus and cortex. Here we used laser scanning photostimulation to compare in young mice (9–12 days old) the organization of the reticular inputs to first- and higher-order somatosensory relays, namely, the ventral posterior lateral nucleus and posterior nucleus, respectively. The reticulothalamic input footprints to the ventral posterior lateral nucleus neurons consisted of small, single, topographically organized elliptical regions in a tier away from the reticulothalamic border. In contrast, those to the posterior nucleus were complicated and varied considerably among neurons: although almost all contained a single elliptical region near the reticulothalamic border, in most cases, they consisted of additional discontinuous regions or relatively diffuse regions throughout the thickness of the thalamic reticular nucleus. Our results suggest two sources of reticular inputs to the posterior nucleus neurons: one that is relatively topographic from regions near the reticulothalamic border and one that is relatively diffuse and convergent from most or all of the thickness of the thalamic reticular nucleus. We propose that the more topographic reticular input is the basis of local inhibition seen in posterior nucleus neurons and that the more diffuse and convergent input may represent circuitry through which the ventral posterior lateral and posterior nuclei interact.

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Dual systems for all: Higher-order, role-based relational reasoning as a uniquely derived feature of human cognition

Behavioral and Brain Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0140525x19000451 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

Author(s):

Daniel J. Povinelli ◽

Gabrielle C. Glorioso ◽

Shannon L. Kuznar ◽

Mateja Pavlic

Keyword(s):

Temporal Reasoning ◽

Higher Order ◽

Important Case ◽

Human Cognition ◽

Relational Reasoning ◽

Dual Systems ◽

First Order ◽

Reasoning System ◽

Role Based

Abstract Hoerl and McCormack demonstrate that although animals possess a sophisticated temporal updating system, there is no evidence that they also possess a temporal reasoning system. This important case study is directly related to the broader claim that although animals are manifestly capable of first-order (perceptually-based) relational reasoning, they lack the capacity for higher-order, role-based relational reasoning. We argue this distinction applies to all domains of cognition.

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Challenging the Multidimensional Conception of Perceived Person-Environment Fit

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759/a000622 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Julian M. Etzel ◽

Gabriel Nagy

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

University Students ◽

Educational Outcomes ◽

Factor Model ◽

Higher Order ◽

Substantial Proportion ◽

Unique Variance ◽

First Order ◽

Person Environment Fit ◽

Order Factor

Abstract. In the current study, we examined the viability of a multidimensional conception of perceived person-environment (P-E) fit in higher education. We introduce an optimized 12-item measure that distinguishes between four content dimensions of perceived P-E fit: interest-contents (I-C) fit, needs-supplies (N-S) fit, demands-abilities (D-A) fit, and values-culture (V-C) fit. The central aim of our study was to examine whether the relationships between different P-E fit dimensions and educational outcomes can be accounted for by a higher-order factor that captures the shared features of the four fit dimensions. Relying on a large sample of university students in Germany, we found that students distinguish between the proposed fit dimensions. The respective first-order factors shared a substantial proportion of variance and conformed to a higher-order factor model. Using a newly developed factor extension procedure, we found that the relationships between the first-order factors and most outcomes were not fully accounted for by the higher-order factor. Rather, with the exception of V-C fit, all specific P-E fit factors that represent the first-order factors’ unique variance showed reliable and theoretically plausible relationships with different outcomes. These findings support the viability of a multidimensional conceptualization of P-E fit and the validity of our adapted instrument.

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Supplemental Material for First-Order and Higher Order Sequence Learning in Specific Language Impairment

Neuropsychology ◽

10.1037/neu0000316.supp ◽

2016 ◽

Keyword(s):

Sequence Learning ◽

Language Impairment ◽

Specific Language Impairment ◽

Higher Order ◽

Specific Language ◽

First Order ◽

Order Sequence

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Dorsal thalamus modulated by thalamic reticular nucleus

Protocol Exchange ◽

10.1038/nprot.2009.213 ◽

2009 ◽

Author(s):

Xiong-Jie Yu ◽

Shigang He ◽

Jufang He

Keyword(s):

Thalamic Reticular Nucleus ◽

Reticular Nucleus ◽

Dorsal Thalamus

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Computational Models for Multilayered Composite Shells with Application to Tires

Tire Science and Technology ◽

10.2346/1.2137509 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 11-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

G. M. Kulikov

Keyword(s):

Type Theory ◽

Computational Models ◽

Geometrical Nonlinearity ◽

Higher Order ◽

Stress Strain ◽

Strain Fields ◽

First Order ◽

Timoshenko Type ◽

Joint Influence ◽

Discrete Layer

Abstract This paper focuses on four tire computational models based on two-dimensional shear deformation theories, namely, the first-order Timoshenko-type theory, the higher-order Timoshenko-type theory, the first-order discrete-layer theory, and the higher-order discrete-layer theory. The joint influence of anisotropy, geometrical nonlinearity, and laminated material response on the tire stress-strain fields is examined. The comparative analysis of stresses and strains of the cord-rubber tire on the basis of these four shell computational models is given. Results show that neglecting the effect of anisotropy leads to an incorrect description of the stress-strain fields even in bias-ply tires.

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Thalamic Reticular Nucleus in Caiman crocodilus: Immunohistochemical Staining

Brain Behavior and Evolution ◽

10.1159/000496327 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 92 (3-4) ◽

pp. 142-166 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michael B. Pritz

Keyword(s):

Glutamic Acid ◽

Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase ◽

Immunohistochemical Staining ◽

Medial Forebrain Bundle ◽

Transverse Plane ◽

Thalamic Reticular Nucleus ◽

Reticular Nucleus ◽

Acid Decarboxylase ◽

Caiman Crocodilus ◽

Monoclonal Mouse

The thalamic reticular nucleus in reptiles, Caiman crocodilus, shares a number of morphological similarities with its counterpart in mammals. In view of the immunohistochemical properties of this nucleus in mammals and the more recently identified complexity of this neuronal aggregate in Caiman, this nucleus was investigated using a number of antibodies. These results were compared with findings described for other amniotes. The following antibodies gave consistent and reproducible results: polyclonal sheep anti-parvalbumin (PV), monoclonal mouse anti-PV, and polyclonal sheep anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). In the transverse plane, this nucleus is divided into two. In each part, a compact group of cells sits on top of the fibers of the forebrain bundle with scattered cells among these fibers. In the lateral forebrain bundle, this neuronal aggregate is represented by the dorsal peduncular nucleus and the perireticular nucleus while, in the medial forebrain bundle, these parts are the interstitial nucleus and the scattered cells in this fiber tract. The results of this study are the following. First, the thalamic reticular nucleus of Caiman contains GAD(+) and PV(+) neurons, which is similar to what has been described in other amniotes. Second, the morphology and distribution of many GAD(+) and PV(+) neurons in the dorsal peduncular and perireticular nuclei are similar and suggest that these neurons colocalize these markers. Third, neurons in the interstitial nucleus and in the medial forebrain bundle are GAD(+) and PV(+). At the caudal pole of the thalamic reticular nucleus, PV immunoreactive cells predominated and avoided the central portion of this nucleus where GAD(+) cells were preferentially located. However, GAD(+) cells were sparse when compared with PV(+) cells. This immunohistochemically different area in the caudal pole is considered to be an area separate from the thalamic reticular nucleus.

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The therapeutic mechanism of epilepsy seizures in different target areas: Research on a theoretical model

Technology and Health Care ◽

10.3233/thc-218043 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

pp. 455-461

Author(s):

Bing Hu ◽

Zhizhi Wang ◽

Minbo Xu ◽

Luyao Zhu ◽

Dingjiang Wang

Keyword(s):

Pyramidal Neurons ◽

Control Mechanism ◽

Difficult Problem ◽

Calculation Model ◽

Thalamic Reticular Nucleus ◽

Reticular Nucleus ◽

Theoretical Support ◽

Therapeutic Mechanism ◽

Optimal Target ◽

Selection Of

BACKGROUND: The selection of optimal target areas in the surgical treatment of epilepsy is always a difficult problem in medicine. OBJECTIVE: We employed a theoretical calculation model to explore the control mechanism of seizures by an external voltage stimulus acting in different nerve nuclei. METHODS: Theoretical analysis and numerical simulation were combined. RESULTS: The globus pallidus, excitatory pyramidal neurons, striatal D1 neurons, thalamic reticular nucleus and specific relay nuclei were selected, we analyzed that the electrical stimulation has different effects in these target areas. CONCLUSIONS: The data selected were reasonable in study, the results may give a theoretical support for similar studies in clinical.

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