Anterograde tracer and field potential analysis of the neocortical layer I projection from nucleus ventralis medialis of the thalamus in cat.
The projection of the ventromedial nucleus of the thalamus to the neocortex was studied in cat by means of anterograde and retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase, by the depth profile of evoked thalamocortical field potentials, and by superfusion of the cortex with manganese to block transmitter release. Horseradish peroxidase injected into the ventromedial nucleus was anterogradely transported to the outer third of layer I in the neocortex, extending from the depth of the cruciate sulcus anterior to the olfactory bulb and tract. The region of projection from the ventromedial nucleus extended mediolaterally from the medial wall of the proreus gyrus to the ventral tip of the coronal gyrus. Horseradish peroxidase injections or applications in these areas of the neocortex resulted in the retrograde labeling of neurons in the ventromedial nucleus. Injections in many other cortical areas did not result in labeled neurons in this nucleus. Stimulation of the ventromedial nucleus with single pulses elicited surface-negative waves in the medial part of the precruciate region that had superficial isoelectric points. Superfusion of the precruciate area with manganese resulted in the suppression of the ventromedial-evoked wave, whereas control extracellular waves in deeper layers were unaffected. An additional additional finding was that horseradish peroxidase injections in the ventromedial nucleus led to a dense reciprocal retrograde labeling of neurons in layer VI of that part of the cortex to which the ventromedial nucleus projects. We conclude that, in cat, (1) the ventromedial nucleus projects to layer I of the cerebral cortex anterior to the cruciate sulcus and receives a dense reciprocal projection from layer VI; (2) stimulation of neurons in the ventromedial nucleus causes depolarization of structures in layer I and these neurons are responsible for recruiting responses in the anterior cortex.