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

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Bedwell, S.A. ORCID: 0000-0003-3283-7748, Billett, E.E. ORCID: 0000-0001-8245-6519, Crofts, J.J. ORCID: 0000-0001-7751-9984 and Tinsley, C.J. ORCID: 0000-0002-9369-443X, 2017. Differences in anatomical connections across distinct areas in the rodent prefrontal cortex. European Journal of Neuroscience, 45 (6), pp. 859-873. ISSN 0953-816X

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Official URL: http://doi.org/ 10.1111/ejn.13521

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 +4.7mm to bregma and posterior +3.7mm to bregma). Within each coronal level, tracers were deposited at sites separated by approximately 1mm 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:

Journal article

Alternative Title:

Anterior posterior organisation of PFC connections [running title]

Publication Title:

European Journal of Neuroscience

Creators:

Bedwell, S.A., Billett, E.E., Crofts, J.J. and Tinsley, C.J.

Publisher:

John Wiley & Sons Ltd. on behalf of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies, FENS

Date:

March 2017