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Quantitative analysis of the neuronal population of the red nucleus of the cat

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Abstract

There is strong evidence in the literature for a correlation between the two parts of the red nucleus, magnocellular and parvocellular, and different functions. Unfortunately in the cat, the species most studied both physiologically and anatomically, there are no morphological criteria distinguishing the two portions. With quantitative techniques applied to Nissl preparations the neuronal population of the Red Nucleus has been studied in serial sections along the rostrocaudal axis of the mesencephalon of the cat. Statistical analysis of the data revealed a horizontal plane dividing the two portions of the nucleus with a high statistical significance level. This plane lies between the caudal two-thirds and the rostral third of the nucleus. Although in the model two portions can be distinguished, it is not possible to assign to either a single type of neuron, whether or considered in terms of shape or size.

Sommario

Vi è buona evidenza in letteratura che la presenza di due componenti, magno-e parvo-cellulare, nel Nucleo Rosso dei mammiferi è correlabile con parti funzionalmente differenti. Sfortunatamente nel gatto, la specie maggiormente studiata sia fisiologicamente che anatomicamente, mancano criteri morfologici di distinzione fra le due parti.

Applicando tecniche quantitative su preparati Nissl, è stata studiata la popolazione cellulare del Nucleo Rosso in sezioni seriate lungo l'asse rostro-caudale del mesencefalo. Mediante una analisi statistico-matematica dei dati raccolti si è potuto dimostrare con un ottimo livello di significatività un piano orizzontale di divisione in due parti del nucleo. Questo piano risulta posto fra i due terzi caudali ed il terzo rostrale del nucleo.

Pur riconoscendo due parti distinte nel modello ottenuto, non è però possibile assegnare a ciascuna di esse un tipo esclusivo di elemento cellulare, sia considerando la forma sia considerando la dimensione dei neuroni.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Anatomia Umana Normale II, Università di Milano, Via Mangialli 31, 20133, Milano, Italia

    Ferrario V. F., Miani A., Pizzini G. & Tredici G.

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  1. Ferrario V. F.
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  2. Miani A.
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  3. Pizzini G.
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  4. Tredici G.
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Ferrario, V.F., Miani, A., Pizzini, G. et al. Quantitative analysis of the neuronal population of the red nucleus of the cat. Ital J Neuro Sci 2, 43–51 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02351686

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