Rat Sympathetic Premotor Neuron Connectome Mapped with Volumetric Atlas

This dataset maps the monosynaptic connectome of bulbospinal sympathetic premotor neurons in the rat rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) using a viral tracing strategy and a volumetric brain atlas. The data detail the spatial distribution of input neurons, with the majority (88-94%) located within the brainstem.

Use Cases

• Analyze the spatial distribution of input neurons to RVLM sympathetic premotor neurons using Cartesian coordinates from the volumetric atlas.
• Identify prominent input sources from neurohumoral actuators, medullary autonomic subnuclei, and supramedullary autonomic nuclei.
• Investigate the sparse innervation from suprapontine structures like the paraventricular nucleus and lateral hypothalamus.
• Quantify the proportion of brainstem inputs (88-94%) versus inputs from other neural levels.

Strengths

• Data generated using a genetically restricted viral tracing strategy for definitive mapping of monosynaptic connections.
• Neuron positions are mapped using a MRI-based volumetric atlas and a novel image alignment tool for standardized Cartesian coordinates.
• The study identifies a substantial and previously unrecognized input from the region ventral to nucleus prepositus hypoglossi.

Limitations

• Dataset is specific to Sprague Dawley rats, limiting generalizability to other species.
• The connectome mapping is focused on a specific neuron population (bulbospinal RVLM sympathetic premotor neurons).
• Sample size and quantitative metrics like exact neuron counts are not provided in the available description.

Provenance

Source

Dryad digital repository.

Collection Method

Genetically restricted viral tracing with recombinant rabies variant driving reporter expression in monosynaptically connected input neurons, mapped using a MRI-based volumetric atlas.

Freshness

Last updated in June 2020.

Geography

Laboratory study on rat models.