Cross-Modal Projections from Auditory to Visual Cortices in the Ferret

Recent studies have shown that neuronal connections occur between primary auditory and visual cortices of the primate (Falchier et al., 2002; Rockland and Ojima, 2003), and it has been suggested that these projections are involved in multisensory processing in these lower-level, core areas of cortex. The present study was conducted to determine if similar connections occur in other higher mammals such as carnivores (ferrets; Mustela putorius). Large injections of sensitive neuroanatomical tracer were placed within the core areas of auditory cortex in 3 ferrets. After transport and processing, labeled axon terminals were found not in primary visual cortex, but in area 19, or V3. Injection of tracer into V3 of 3 additional ferrets produced retrogradely labeled neurons not in the core region of auditory cortex, but along its posterior borders. These data indicate that cross-modal connections occur in the ferret cortex, but do not support the notion that they exist between the primary representations of the different sensory modalities.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Anatomy & Neurobiology

Year dc:date.available

2006

Author dc:creator

• Wang, Meng Y.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. M. Alex Meredith

• hearing
• somatosensation
• senses
• brain
• carnivore
• vision
• Anatomy
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Nervous System

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/889

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-1888