Omar Gharbawie, Ph.D.
Vanderbilt University
Department of Psychology/Kaas Lab

Thursday, December 11, 2008
12:00 p.m.
316 Wilson Hall

“Posterior parietal cortex integration into the motor system: insight from thalamocortical connection in New World primates.”

 Posterior parietal cortex was historically considered an association cortex. An interpretation of its function as a critical link between primate visual and motor systems has gained credence more recently. Much of the supporting evidence emerged from neurophysiological and anatomical studies. Nevertheless, a more comprehensive understanding of the role of posterior parietal cortex may be gleaned from exploring its anatomical connections and relating them to neurophysiological functions. For the present study, movement-producing regions of posterior parietal cortex and frontal cortex were mapped with intracortical microstimulation in owl and squirrel monkeys. Anatomical tracers were injected into functionally defined subdivisions of posterior parietal cortex and in motor regions of frontal cortex for comparison. After several days of tracer transport, brains were extracted, sectioned, and labeled cells plotted in thalamic nuclei.

Dense posterior parietal cortex connections arising from lateral posterior nucleus and anterior and lateral pulvinar confirmed previous work. Moreover, strong connections from nuclei of motor thalamus were also identified. This suggests that posterior parietal cortex is integrated with subcortical motor system structures and extends its role beyond relaying visual input to the motor system.

Department of Psychology NEUROSCIENCE SEMINAR SERIES
For additional information, contact Carol Wiley@ carol.wiley@vanderbilt.edu