Neurotoxic lesions of the thalamic reuniens or mediodorsal nucleus in rats affect non-mnemonic aspects of watermaze learning

Weel, M.J. Dolleman-van der; Morris, Richard

doi:10.1007/s00429-008-0200-6

Cited by 84 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…Our results showing no effect of the ReRh lesion on recent memory retention appear contradictory. However, the results of Dolleman-van der Weel et al (2009) show that the rats with ReRh lesions performed above chance level, and thus remembered the platform location. Another study assessed reference and working memory performance in a water maze after ReRh inactivation, but conclusions were unclear as controls did not remember the platform location (Davoodi et al, 2009).…”

Section: The Ventral Midline Thalamus and Memorymentioning

confidence: 89%

“…Considering the key position of the ReRh nuclei at the interface between the hippocampus and the mPFC (Hoover and Vertes, 2012), the relatively small number of studies that paid attention to their functional implications remains surprising. Dolleman-van der Weel et al (2009) showed in rats that Re lesions did not prevent water-maze acquisition, but impaired performance in a delayed (24 h) probe trial. This impairment was attributed to a too rapid shift of strategy after an initial search oriented toward the correct quadrant, possibly as a consequence of maladaptations to envi- Figure 8.…”

Section: The Ventral Midline Thalamus and Memorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Likewise, swim speed and thigmotaxis were also recorded during the probe trial. In addition, a recent report suggests that rats with Re lesions, despite spending less time than controls in the target quadrant, were able to swim to the correct quadrant as rapidly as the controls (Dolleman-van der Weel et al, 2009). This result was interpreted as a PFC-associated deficit and not as reflecting genuine memory impairment.…”

Section: Spatial Testing In the Morris Water Mazementioning

confidence: 99%

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The Ventral Midline Thalamus (Reuniens and Rhomboid Nuclei) Contributes to the Persistence of Spatial Memory in Rats

Loureiro¹,

Cholvin²,

Lopez³

et al. 2012

Journal of Neuroscience

129

134

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The formation of enduring declarative-like memories engages a dialog between the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Electrophysiological and neuroanatomical evidence for reciprocal connections with both of these structures makes the reuniens and rhomboid nuclei (ReRh) of the thalamus a major functional link between the PFC and hippocampus. Using immediate early gene imaging (c-Fos), fiber-sparing excitotoxic lesion, and reversible inactivation in rats, we provide evidence demonstrating a contribution of the ReRh to the persistence of a spatial memory. Intact rats trained in a Morris water maze showed increased c-Fos expression (vs home cage and visible platform groups: Ͼ500%) in the ReRh when tested in a probe trial at a 25 d delay, against no change at a 5 d delay; behavioral performance was comparable at both delays. In rats subjected to excitotoxic fiber-sparing NMDA lesions circumscribed to the ReRh, we found normal acquisition of the water-maze task (vs sham-operated controls) and normal probe trial performance at the 5 d delay, but there was no evidence for memory retrieval at the 25 d delay. In rats having learned the water-maze task, lidocaine-induced inactivation of the ReRh right before the probe trial did not alter memory retrieval tested at the 5 d or 25 d delay. Together, these data suggest an implication of the ReRh in the long-term consolidation of a spatial memory at the system level. These nuclei could then be a key structure contributing to the transformation of a new hippocampal-dependent spatial memory into a remote one also depending on cortical networks.

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Section: The Ventral Midline Thalamus and Memorymentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: The Ventral Midline Thalamus and Memorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Spatial Testing In the Morris Water Mazementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The Ventral Midline Thalamus (Reuniens and Rhomboid Nuclei) Contributes to the Persistence of Spatial Memory in Rats

Loureiro¹,

Cholvin²,

Lopez³

et al. 2012

Journal of Neuroscience

129

134

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…A growing number of behavioural studies has provided evidence that RE is indeed involved in cognitive functions, most likely by coordinating neuronal activities in hippocampus and mPFC (Dolleman-van der Weel et al, 2009;Davoodi et al 2011;Eleore et al 2011;Hembrook et al 2011;Loureiro et al 2012;Prasad et al 2012;Cholvin et al 2013;Hallock et al 2013;Xu and Sűdhof 2013;Saalmann 2014;Bobal and Savage 2015;Ito et al 2015;Layfield et al 2015;Prasad et al 2016). Because mPFC lacks a direct return projection to the hippocampus (Sesack et al 1989;Jay and Witter 1991), RE might relay mPFC-processed information back to the hippocampus as part of a closed CA1-mPFC-RE-CA1 circuit Xu and Sűdhof 2013).…”

Section: Functional Relevancementioning

confidence: 99%

Interaction of nucleus reuniens and entorhinal cortex projections in hippocampal field CA1 of the rat

Weel

Silva

2016

Brain Struct Funct

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The nucleus reuniens (RE) and entorhinal cortex (EC) provide monosynaptic excitatory inputs to the apical dendrites of pyramidal cells and to interneurons with dendrites in stratum lacunosum-moleculare (LM) of hippocampal field CA1. However, whether the RE and EC inputs interact at the cellular level is unknown. In this electrophysiological in vivo study, low frequency stimulation was used to selectively activate each projection at its origin; field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) were recorded in CA1. We applied 1) paired pulses to RE or EC, 2) combined paired pulses to RE and EC, and 3) simultaneously paired pulses to RE/EC. The main findings are that: i) stimulation of either RE or EC evoked subthreshold fEPSPs, displaying paired pulse facilitation (PPF), ii) subthreshold fEPSPs evoked by combined stimulation did not display heterosynaptic PPF, and iii) simultaneous stimulation of RE/EC resulted in enhanced subthreshold fEPSPs in proximal LM displaying a nonlinear interaction.CSD analyses of RE/EC-evoked depth profiles revealed a nonlinear enlargement of the 'LM sink-radiatum source' configuration and the appearance of an additional small sink-source pair close to stratum pyramidale, likely reflecting (peri)somatic inhibition. The nonlinear interaction between both inputs indicates that RE and EC axons form synapses, at least partly, onto the same dendritic compartments of CA1 pyramidal cells. We propose that low frequency activation of the RE-CA1 input facilitates the entorhinal-hippocampal dialogue, and may synchronize the neocortical-hippocampal slow oscillation which is relevant for hippocampal-dependent memory consolidation.

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“…Other midline thalamic lesions that include the Re have been shown to impair certain aspects of memory function, especially as it relates to the flexible control of navigation strategies (Dolleman-van der Weel et al, 2009;Cholvin et al, 2013) but fail to disrupt working memory (Chudasama and Prasad, 2012). Recently, Xu and Südhof (2013), using optogenetic methods, showed that the Re outputs to the prefrontal cortex, and prefrontal inputs to the Re enable rats to respond quickly and appropriately to fearful situations.…”

Section: Cognitive Effects Of Disrupting Thalamic Relaysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in Understanding Mechanisms of Thalamic Relays in Cognition and Behavior

et al. 2014

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The main impetus for a mini-symposium on corticothalamic interrelationships was the recent number of studies highlighting the role of the thalamus in aspects of cognition beyond sensory processing. The thalamus contributes to a range of basic cognitive behaviors that include learning and memory, inhibitory control, decision-making, and the control of visual orienting responses. Its functions are deeply intertwined with those of the better studied cortex, although the principles governing its coordination with the cortex remain opaque, particularly in higher-level aspects of cognition. How should the thalamus be viewed in the context of the rest of the brain? Although its role extends well beyond relaying of sensory information from the periphery, the main function of many of its subdivisions does appear to be that of a relay station, transmitting neural signals primarily to the cerebral cortex from a number of brain areas. In cognition, its main contribution may thus be to coordinate signals between diverse regions of the telencephalon, including the neocortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and striatum. This central coordination is further subject to considerable extrinsic control, for example, inhibition from the basal ganglia, zona incerta, and pretectal regions, and chemical modulation from ascending neurotransmitter systems. What follows is a brief review on the role of the thalamus in aspects of cognition and behavior, focusing on a summary of the topics covered in a mini-symposium held at the Society for Neuroscience meeting, 2014. IntroductionThe best-studied aspects of thalamic function relate to its role as a sensory relay. However, the complexity of its anatomical connections, the effects of thalamic lesions, and electrophysiological activity in behaving animals have made it clear that its role in cognition is much more comprehensive. The thalamus can be subdivided into many different nuclei based on anatomical, functional, and chemical differences. Many of these nuclei are routinely identified as elements in large-scale networks dedicated to specific aspects of cognitive behavior. The essential cognitive contributions of the thalamus can be gleaned from patient studies. For example, the thalamus is a key structure in the domain of memory, and its injury can result in diencephalic amnesia. Specifically, disconnection of the anterior portions of the thalamus from the hippocampus and retrosplenial cortex is associated with

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Neurotoxic lesions of the thalamic reuniens or mediodorsal nucleus in rats affect non-mnemonic aspects of watermaze learning

Cited by 84 publications

References 70 publications

The Ventral Midline Thalamus (Reuniens and Rhomboid Nuclei) Contributes to the Persistence of Spatial Memory in Rats

The Ventral Midline Thalamus (Reuniens and Rhomboid Nuclei) Contributes to the Persistence of Spatial Memory in Rats

Interaction of nucleus reuniens and entorhinal cortex projections in hippocampal field CA1 of the rat

Advances in Understanding Mechanisms of Thalamic Relays in Cognition and Behavior

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