Neural pathways from the thalamic reticular nucleus to hippocampal subregions

doi:10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2026.3.05

PDF(8459 KB)

Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2026, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (3) : 274-280. DOI: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2026.3.05

Neural pathways from the thalamic reticular nucleus to hippocampal subregions

Liu Yao¹，Ma Wenqian¹，Huang Haiyue¹，Peng Hairong²，Ma Chang³，Zhang Rui¹，Zhang Lianxiang¹，Wen Yujun¹*

Author information +

History +

Abstract

Objective To clarify the neural pathways from the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) to subregions of the hippocampus (HPC). Methods The anterograde tracer biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) was injected into the unilateral TRN of the mouse brain, and the anterograde projections originating from the TRN were observed in the thalamus and hippocampus. The retrograde tracer cholera toxin subunit B (CTb) was injected into the CA3 region or dentate gyrus (DG) of the unilateral hippocampus in mice, and the distribution of retrogradely labeled neuronal somata was examined in the thalamus. Results Seven days after BDA injection, BDA-positive nerve fibers were detected in the ipsilateral anterodorsal thalamic nucleus (AD), anteroventral thalamic nucleus (AV), and paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PV). Among these fibers, those projecting to the AD and AV expressed vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (vGluT2), and BDA-positive fibers were also observed in the hippocampal DG region. Seven days after CTb injection, CTb-positive neuronal somata originating from the hippocampal CA3 region were found in the ipsilateral AD, AV, and PV, while CTb-positive neuronal somata from the DG region were identified in the ipsilateral TRN. Conclusion An indirect pathway exists between the TRN and the hippocampal CA3 region, with the projection route being TRN→AD/AV/PV→CA3. A direct pathway is present between the TRN and the hippocampal DG region, where nerve fibers from the TRN directly project to the hippocampal DG region.

Key words

Thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN); / / Hippocampus (HPC); / / CA3; / / Dentate gyrus (DG); / / Neural pathway

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

Liu Yao, Ma Wenqian, Huang Haiyue, Peng Hairong, Ma Chang, Zhang Rui, Zhang Lianxiang, Wen Yujun. Neural pathways from the thalamic reticular nucleus to hippocampal subregions[J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy. 2026, 44(3): 274-280 https://doi.org/10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2026.3.05

References

[1] Wang FD, Sun H, Chen MY, et al. The thalamic reticular nucleus orchestrates social memory [J]. Neuron, 2024, 112 (14): 2368-2385.e11. DOI:10.1016/j.neuron.2024.04.013.
[2] Takata N. Thalamic reticular nucleus in the thalamocortical loop [J]. Neurosci Res, 2020, 156: 32-40. DOI:10.1016/j.neures.2019.12.004.
[3] Hou GQ, Smith AG, Zhang ZW. Lack of intrinsic GABAergic connections in the thalamic reticular nucleus of the mouse [J]. J Neurosci, 2016, 36(27): 7246-7252. DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0607-16.2016.
[4] Pinault D. The thalamic reticular nucleus: structure, function and concept [J]. Brain Res Brain Res Rev, 2004, 46(1): 31. DOI:10.1016/j.brainresrev.2004.04.008.
[5] Uygun DS, Yang C, Tilli ER, et al. Knockdown of GABAA alpha3 subunits on thalamic reticular neurons enhances deep sleep in mice [J]. Nat Commun, 2022, 13(1): 2246. DOI:10.1038/s41467-022-29852-x.
[6] Liu HX, Wang XX, Chen L, et al. Microglia modulate stable wakefulness via the thalamic reticular nucleus in mice [J]. Nat Commun, 2021, 12(1): 4646. DOI:10.1038/s41467-021-24915-x.
[7] Clemente-Perez A, Makinson SR, Higashikubo B, et al. Distinct thalamic reticular cell types differentially modulate normal and pathological cortical rhythms [J]. Cell Rep, 2017, 19(10): 2130-2142. DOI:10.1016/j.celrep.2017.05.044.
[8] Lee JH, Latchoumane CV, Park J, et al. The rostroventral part of the thalamic reticular nucleus modulates fear extinction [J]. Nat Commun, 2019, 10(1): 4637. DOI:10.1038/s41467-019-12496-9.
[9] Wells MF, Wimmer RD, Schmitt LI, et al. Thalamic reticular impairment underlies attention deficit in Ptchd1(Y/-) mice [J]. Nature, 2016, 532(7597): 58-63. DOI:10.1038/nature17427.
[10]Wilson E, Forcelli PA. Optogenetic activation of the reticular nucleus of the thalamus attenuates limbic seizures via inhibition of the midline thalamus [J]. Epilepsia, 2021, 62(9): 2283-2296. DOI:10.1111/epi.17016.
[11]Pantoja-Jiménez CR, Magdaleno-Madrigal VM, Almazán-Alvarado S, et al. Anti-epileptogenic effect of high-frequency stimulation in the thalamic reticular nucleus on PTZ-induced seizures [J]. Brain Stimul, 2014, 7(4): 587-594. DOI:10.1016/j.brs.2014.03.012.
[12]Huguenard RJ, McCormick DA. Thalamic synchrony and dynamic regulation of global forebrain oscillations [J]. Trends Neurosci, 2007, 30(7): 350-356. DOI:10.1016/j.tins.2007.05.007.
[13]Jones BE. From waking to sleeping neuronal and chemical substrates [J]. Trends Pharmacol Sci, 2005, 26(11): 578-586. DOI:10.1016/j.tips. 2005.09.009.
[14]郭继平.小鼠丘脑网状核 PV 阳性神经元的投射通路及其对痛信息的调控作用 [D]. 大理大学, 2023. DOI:10.27811/d.cnki.gdixy.2023. 000615.
Guo JP. Projection pathways of PV-positive neurons in the mouse thealamus reticular nucleus and their regulatory effects on pain information[D]. Dali University, 2023.DOI:10.27811/d.cnki.gdixy. 2023. 000615.
[15]Cavdar S, Onat FY, Cakmak YO, et al. The pathways connecting the hippocampal formation, the thalamic reuniens nucleus and the thalamic reticular nucleus in the rat [J]. J Anat, 2008, 212(3): 249-256. DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2008.00858. x.
[16]Aggleton JP, Nelson AJ. Why do lesions in the rodent anterior thalamic nuclei cause such severe spatial deficits? [J]. Neurosci Biobehav Rev, 2015, 54: 131-144. DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.08.013.
[17]van Groen T, Kadish I, Michael Wyss J. Role of the anterodorsal and anteroventral nuclei of the thalamus in spatial memory in the rat [J]. Behav Brain Res, 2002, 132(1): 19-28. DOI: 10.1016/s0166-4328(01)00390-4.
[18]Roy DS, Zhang Y, Aida T, et al. Anterior thalamic circuits crucial for working memory [J]. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2022, 119(20): e2118712119. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2118712119.
[19]Bubb EJ, Kinnavane L, Aggleton JP. Hippocampal-diencephalic-cingulate networks for memory and emotion: An anatomical guide [J]. Brain and Neurosc Adv, 2017,1:1-11. DOI:10.1177/2398212817723443.
[20]Sa L, Kirouac GJ. Sources of inputs to the anterior and posterior aspects of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus [J]. Brain Struc Funct, 2012, 217(2): 257-273. DOI:10.1007/s00429-011-0360-7.
[21]Ren SC, Wang YL, Yue FG, et al. The paraventricular thalamus is a critical thalamic area for wakefulness [J]. Science, 2018, 362(6413): 429-434. DOI:10.1126/science. aat2512.
[22]Kooiker CL, Birnie MT, Baram TZ. The paraventricular thalamus: a potential sensor and integrator of emotionally salient early-life experiences [J]. Front Behav Neurosci, 2021, 15: 673162. DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.673162.
[23]Kirouac JG. Placing the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus within the brain circuits that control behavior [J]. Neurosci Biobehav Rev, 2015, 56: 315-329. DOI:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.08.005.
[24]Lüttjohann A, Fabene PF, van Luijtelaar G. A revised Racine's scale for PTZ-induced seizures in rats [J]. Physiol Behav, 2009, 98(5): 579-586. DOI:10.1016/j.physbeh.2009.09.005.