The Central Vestibular Complex in Dolphins and Humans: Functional Implications of Deiters’ Nucleus

Kern, A.; Seidel, Kay; Oelschläger, Helmut

doi:10.1159/000213646

Cited by 15 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…It allows orientation and the detection of prey even in total darkness and murky waters. Some of their sensory organs were eliminated (rostral olfactory system and vomeronasal system [Oelschläger and Buhl, 1985]), underwent an outstanding miniaturization (vestibular system [Kern et al, 2009;Cozzi et al, 2017]), or show modifications in size and possible functions (terminal nerve and external eye muscles and nerves [Buhl and Oelschläger, 1986;Oelschläger et al, 1987;Ridgway et al, 1987;Oelschläger and Oelschläger, 2002;Oelschläger, 2008;Oelschläger et al, 2008]). Also, the hippocampus and other parts of the limbic system are strongly reduced.…”

Section: Neurobiology and Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Primary Neocortical Areas in Selected Mammals

et al. 2017

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The present study focuses on the relationship between neocortical structures and functional aspects in three selected mammalian species. Our aim was to compare cortical layering and neuron density in the projection areas (somatomotor, M1; somatosensory, S1; auditory, A1; and visual, V1; each in a wider sense). Morphological and design-based stereological analysis was performed in the wild boar (Sus scrofa scrofa) as a representative terrestrial hoofed animal (artiodactyl) and the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) as a highly derived related aquatic mammal (cetartiodactyl). For comparison, we included the human (Homo sapiens) as a well-documented anthropoid primate. In the cortex of many mammals, layer IV (inner granular layer) is the main target of specific thalamocortical inputs while layers III and V are the main origins of neocortical projections. Because the fourth layer is indistinct or mostly lacking in the primary neocortex of the wild boar and dolphins, respectively, we analyzed the adjacent layers III and V in these animals. In the human, all the three layers were investigated separately. The stereological data show comparatively low neuron densities in all areas of the wild boar and high cell counts in the human (as expected), particularly in the primary visual cortex. The common dolphin, in general, holds an intermediate position in terms of neuron density but exhibits higher values than the human in a few layers. With respect to the situation in the wild boar, stereological neuron counts in the dolphin are consistently higher, with a maximum in layer III of the visual cortex. The extended auditory neocortical field in dolphins and the hypertrophic auditory pathway indicate secondary neurobiological adaptations to their aquatic habitat during evolution. The wild boar, however, an omnivorous quadruped terrestrial mammal, shows striking specializations as to the sensorimotor neurobiology of the snout region.

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Section: Neurobiology and Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Primary Neocortical Areas in Selected Mammals

et al. 2017

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“…Other characteristic details in this coronal sectional plane are the central vestibular complex which is largely represented by the well-developed Deiters' lateral vestibular nucleus [v; hyperintense; cf. Kern et al, 2009] and the restiform body (inferior cerebellar peduncle; r) as well as the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve and its nucleus ( fig. 3 f: 5') together with a rootlet of the glossopharyngeal nerve (arrow).…”

Section: Auditory Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast, the lateral vestibular (Deiters') nucleus ( fig. 3 f: v) is at least as large or larger than in the human [Voogd, 1998c;Kern et al, 2009]; with respect to body mass it is 2.4 times larger in Delphinus than in humans and with respect to brain mass 3.1 times. Zvorykin reported Deiters' nucleus to be even 9 to 16 times larger in Delphinus than in the human [Zvorykin, 1975].…”

Section: Premotor and Motor Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cetacean Brain Evolution: Dwarf Sperm Whale <i>(Kogia sima)</i> and Common Dolphin <i>(Delphinus delphis)</i> – An Investigation with High-Resolution 3D MRI

2010

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This study compares a whole brain of the dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) with that of a common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The Kogia brain was scanned with a Siemens Trio Magnetic Resonance scanner in the three main planes. As in the common dolphin and other marine odontocetes, the brain of the dwarf sperm whale is large, with the telencephalic hemispheres remarkably dominating the brain stem. The neocortex is voluminous and the cortical grey matter thin but expansive and densely convoluted. The corpus callosum is thin and the anterior commissure hard to detect whereas the posterior commissure is well-developed. There is consistency as to the lack of telencephalic structures (olfactory bulb and peduncle, olfactory ventricular recess) and neither an occipital lobe of the telencephalic hemisphere nor the posterior horn of the lateral ventricle are present. A pineal organ could not be detected in Kogia. Both species show a tiny hippocampus and thin fornix and the mammillary body is very small whereas other structures of the limbic system are well-developed. The brain stem is thick and underlies a large cerebellum, both of which, however, are smaller in Kogia. The vestibular system is markedly reduced with the exception of the lateral (Deiters’) nucleus. The visual system, although well-developed in both species, is exceeded by the impressive absolute and relative size of the auditory system. The brainstem and cerebellum comprise a series of structures (elliptic nucleus, medial accessory inferior olive, paraflocculus and posterior interpositus nucleus) showing characteristic odontocete dimensions and size correlations. All these structures seem to serve the auditory system with respect to echolocation, communication, and navigation.

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“…It is reasonable to hypothesize that the reptilian Vevl is homologous to the nucleus Deiters (dorsalis and ventralis) in birds since both the lizard and avian nuclei lack commissural connections and instead project to the ipsilateral spinal cord (Wold, 1979a,b; Bangma and Donkelaar, 1983; Donkelaar et al, 1983; Tellegen et al, 2001). In dolphins, nucleus Deiters appears to have a close functional relationship with the cerebellum and its relatively large size seems to correspond to the physical conditions of aquatic life and locomotion in three dimensions (Kern et al, 2009). Accordingly, the profile of Vevl was larger in Tokay than that found in other reptiles, which might correlate to the gecko’s special pattern of locomotion.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vestibular nuclei characterized by calcium-binding protein immunoreactivity and tract tracing in Gekko gecko

et al. 2013

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Immunohistochemical techniques were used to describe the distribution of the calcium binding proteins calretinin, calbindin and parvalbumin as well as synaptic vesicle protein 2 in the vestibular nuclei of the Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko). In addition, tract tracing was used to investigate connections between the vestibular nerves and brainstem nuclei. Seven vestibular nuclei were recognized: the nuclei cerebellaris lateralis (Cerl), vestibularis dorsolateralis (Vedl), ventrolateralis (Vevl), ventromedialis (Vevm), tangentialis (Vetg), ovalis (VeO) and descendens (Veds). Vestibular fibers entered the brainstem with the ascending branch projecting to Vedl and Cerl, the lateral descending branch to Veds, and the medial descending branch to ipsilateral Vevl. Cerl lay most rostral, in the cerebellar peduncle. Vedl, located rostrally, was ventral to the cerebellar peduncle, and consisted of loosely arranged multipolar and monopolar cells. Vevl was found at the level of the vestibular nerve root and contained conspicuously large cells and medium-sized cells. Veds is a large nucleus, the most rostral portion of which is situated lateral and ventral to Vevl, and occupies much of the dorsal brainstem extending caudally through the medulla. VeO is a spherically shaped cell group lateral to the auditory nucleus magnocellularis and dorsal to the caudal part of Vevl. Vevm and Vetg were small in the present study. Except for VeO, all other vestibular nuclei appear directly comparable to counterparts in other reptiles and birds based on their location, cytoarchitecture, and connections, indicating these are conserved features of the vestibular system.

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The Central Vestibular Complex in Dolphins and Humans: Functional Implications of Deiters’ Nucleus

Cited by 15 publications

References 54 publications

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Primary Neocortical Areas in Selected Mammals

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Primary Neocortical Areas in Selected Mammals

Cetacean Brain Evolution: Dwarf Sperm Whale <i>(Kogia sima)</i> and Common Dolphin <i>(Delphinus delphis)</i> – An Investigation with High-Resolution 3D MRI

Vestibular nuclei characterized by calcium-binding protein immunoreactivity and tract tracing in Gekko gecko

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