Patterns of calcium-binding proteins in human inferior colliculus: identification of subdivisions and evidence for putative parallel systems.
The subdivisions of human inferior colliculus are currently based on Golgi and Nissl-stained preparations. We have investigated the distribution of calcium-binding protein immunoreactivity in the human inferior colliculus and found complementary or mutually exclusive localisations of parvalbumin versus calbindin D-28k and calretinin staining. The central nucleus of the inferior colliculus but not the surrounding regions contained parvalbumin-positive neuronal somata and fibres. Calbindin-positive neurons and fibres were concentrated in the dorsal aspect of the central nucleus and in structures surrounding it: the dorsal cortex, the lateral lemniscus, the ventrolateral nucleus, and the intercollicular region. In the dorsal cortex, labelling of calbindin and calretinin revealed four distinct layers.Thus, calcium-binding protein reactivity reveals in the human inferior colliculus distinct neuronal populations that are anatomically segregated. The different calcium-binding protein-defined subdivisions may belong to parallel auditory pathways that were previously demonstrated in non-human primates, and they may constitute a first indication of parallel processing in human subcortical auditory structures.
Tardif
E
E
Institut de Physiologie, Université de Lausanne, rue du Bugnon 7, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Chiry
O
O
Probst
A
A
Magistretti
P J
PJ
Clarke
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007245:Inferior Colliculi / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins