Circuit Connection Mapping of the Pulvinar Nucleus Using Novel Viral Tracing
Joseph P Nguyen
Mentor: Xiangmin Xu
The pulvinar nucleus is grouped as one of the lateral thalamic nuclei in rodents and carnivores, and stands as
an independent complex in primates. Although the scientific community has only a few studies on the
pulvinar nucleus, it is known that the pulvinar nucleus projects to the primary visual cortex (V1) and higher
order visual areas, and plays a critical role in controlling cortical information processing. In order to
understand neural circuit organization of the pulvinar further, we aim to better map circuit connections of the
lateral posterior (LP) nucleus—the mouse equivalent of the lateral pulvinar nucleus—in greater detail, using
novel viral tracing tools. By injecting glycoprotein deleted rabies virus to the lateral posterior nucleus of wild
type mice, direct circuit connections in the intact brain to neurons in the LP region are targeted and mapped.
The data shows that neurons in the LP mainly receive presynaptic input from the superior colliculus as well as
the brachium of superior colliculus. Input is also received from the pregeniculate nucleus, pretectal nucleus,
and the primary and secondary visual cortex. The greater detail of cortical connections in this research can
provide insight on the LP’s role in the visual system.