Topography and cortical projections of morphologically identified neurons in the visual thalamus of the cat
Authors: Meyer G. , Albus K. 
Published: May 2005

Visual thalamic neurons were stained in a Golgilike fashion following cortical injections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Such staining allows neurons to be classified on the basis of their dendritic morphology, and it enables the direct relation of morphologically identified neurons with their respective cortical projection target to be visualized. All classes of neurons categorized on the basis of Golgi material (Guillery, '66) were identified in the dorsal part of the lateral geniculate body (LGBd): class 1 and class 2 neurons in the laminae A, A1, and C; class 3 neurons in laminae A and A1; class 4 cells in the C‐laminae. Three subtypes of class 4 neurons were differentiated: round cells, spindle cells, and fusiform cells. The round subtype is similar in dendritic morphology to the class 3 neurons, but its soma is larger (mean soma diameter 17 μm compared with 13 μm). Other types of neurons were identified in the laminae A, A1, and C, having morphological characteristics intermediate between class 1 and class 2, and between class 2 and class 3.

Class 1 neurons, class 2 neurons, and flat neurons were identified in the medial interlaminar nucleus (MIN). The flat type is similar in morphology to the fusiform type in the C‐laminae; however, its soma is larger (mean soma diameter 23 μm compared with 19 μm), and its dendrites are free of appendages.

In the extrageniculate nuclei three types of neurons were found: class 2 neurons in the pulvinar, medium‐sized cells—probably class 5—in the pulvinar and in the nucleus lateralis posterior, and neurons with an isodendritic branching pattern in the intralaminar nuclei.

The cortical projections of the various thalamic cell classes were analyzed by injection of HRP into acallosal parts, or callosal parts of area 17 or area 18. Area 17 receives input from a large number of class 2 neurons and from a moderate number of class 1 neurons in the LGBd. In contrast, area 18 receives a dominant input from class 1 neurons and only weak input from class 2 neurons (up to 10% of the population of projection cells in the individual cases).

Class 3 neurons in the A‐laminae and class 4 neurons in the C‐laminae project to either cortical area. Class 2 neurons in MIN project only to callosal parts of area 18, whereas class 2 neurons in pulvinar project in addition to acallosal parts of area 18. The significant change in the relative number of class 1 and class 2 neurons in the LGBd occurs gradually across the callosal zone from area 17 to area 18; it is not strictly related to the 17/18 border as defined by cytoarchitectonic or physiological criteria. The class 1/class 2 relation in the projection to area 18 is independent of eccentricity in the A‐laminae. An increase in the frequency of occurrence with eccentricity is noted, however, for class 4 neurons in the C‐laminae and for flat neurons in MIN. The correlation between neuronal function and morphology is discussed. It is concluded that, in addition to strong input with y‐characteristics, area 18 receives significant inputs with non‐y properties. latter inputs arise mainly from the laminae of the LGBd and from extra‐geniculate nuclei, but also may be seen to originate from MIN and the A‐laminae of the LGBd.