Circuit-based Localization of Ferret Prefrontal Cortex

Abstract

We examined the extent of the ferret prefrontal cortex (PFC) and its reciprocal connections with the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus (MD) by anterograde and retrograde labeling in 6- to 14-week-old male ferrets. Our results indicate that in the ferret, as in other species, MD projects heavily to the PFC although it also projects to other cortical and subcortical structures. The MD projection to PFC terminates largely in layer IV with lighter innervation of layers II, III, V, and VI. The cells projecting back to MD are mostly in layer VI. The parvocellular component of MD projects to and receives projections from the more caudal and dorsomedial component of the PFC, whereas the magnocellular portion of MD projects to and receives projections from the more rostral and lateral component of the PFC. With these results we have localized the ferret PFC, defined as a frontal cortical region with heavy reciprocal connections with the MD.

Resting state network topology of the ferret brain

“…For AMLS, ALLS we used Manger et al (2008); for auditory cortex (primary and higher order cortex) we used Bizley et al (2005); Bajo et al (2007); Atiani et al (2014); for PSSC we used Ramsay and Meredith (2004). For frontal cortex (dPFC, PM and CG; also for primary motor cortex) we referenced Mustela and Cercoleptes (Brodmann, 1909), dog (Kreiner, 1961), ferret PFC (Duque and McCormick, 2010; Fritz et al, 2010) studies; for PL (cat) (Room et al, 1985). For RSG and PSC we referred to the cat (Olson and Musil, 1992).…”

Anesthesia differentially modulates spontaneous network dynamics by cortical area and layer

“…A possible explanation for this specificity stems from differences in the structural and functional architecture of these cortical areas. Layer IV in ferret V1 is highly granulated, whereas granulation of layer IV in PFC is rather poor (Duque and McCormick 2010), indicating there are variations in the cellular composition. PFC is involved in mediating higher cognitive functions (Fuster 2008;Jacobsen 1936) and is critical for top-down feedback to opti- mize processing of behaviorally relevant sensory information (Buschman and Miller 2007;Fritz et al 2010;Gregoriou et al 2009).…”

“…PFC is involved in mediating higher cognitive functions (Fuster 2008;Jacobsen 1936) and is critical for top-down feedback to opti- mize processing of behaviorally relevant sensory information (Buschman and Miller 2007;Fritz et al 2010;Gregoriou et al 2009). Necessary for these functions, layer IV in ferret PFC receives many afferents from the mediodorsal nuclei of the thalamus (Duque and McCormick 2010). Various anesthetics have been shown to decrease thalamic activity (Andrada et al 2012) and thalamocortical connectivity (Hudetz 2012).…”

“…Dura was removed, and the brain was covered with warm, sterile 4% agar. Probe location in V1 was verified by eliciting visually evoked potentials and mapping receptive fields, whereas insertion location in PFC was confirmed by histology to be in the anterior sigmoid gyrus (Duque and McCormick 2010) (recording probe dipped in DiI before insertion; Invitrogen, Grand Island, NY). A stainless steel head post was implanted with bone screws and dental cement.…”

Oscillatory Dynamics in the Frontoparietal Attention Network during Sustained Attention in the Ferret

“…We recorded from PFC in the rostral-most portion of the anterior sigmoid gyrus, similar to previous studies (Fritz et al, 2010) and the caudal portion of PPC located on the suprasylvian gyrus. This area of PFC in ferrets has been shown to have reciprocal connections with the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus (Duque and McCormick, 2010), and appears to be responsible for behaviorally-relevant selection of sensory stimuli (Fritz et al, 2010, Zhou et al, 2016). Our recording and tracer injection locations agreed with localization of PPC as previously defined in the ferret (Manger et al, 2002, Foxworthy and Meredith, 2011, Foxworthy et al, 2013).…”