Organization of projection from brainstem auditory nuclei to the inferior colliculus of Japanese house bat (Pipistrellus abramus)

摘要

ObjectivesEcholocating bats show remarkable specialization which is related to analysis of echoes of biosonars in subcortical auditory brainstem pathways. The inferior colliculus (IC) receives inputs from all lower brainstem auditory nuclei, i.e., cochlear nuclei, nuclei of the lateral lemniscus, and superior olivary complex, and create de novo responses to sound, which is considered crucial for echolocation. Inside the central nucleus of the IC (ICC), small domains which receive specific combination of extrinsic inputs are the basis of integration of sound information. In addition to extrinsic inputs, each domain is interconnected by local IC neurons but the cell types related to the interconnection are not well‐understood. The primary objective of the current study is to examine whether the ascending inputs are reorganized and terminate in microdomains inside the ICC.