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Mind and Intelligence Research Core

Laboratory for Cortical Organization and Systematics

Kathleen S. ROCKLAND, Ph.D.
Kathleen S. ROCKLAND, Ph.D.
Laboratory Head
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PublicationMain Publications at RIKEN

Research Areas

This laboratory focuses on cortical organization, with an emphasis on pyramidal cell types, microcircuitry, and long distance connectivity. We use a systems anatomical approach that incorporates molecular techniques, tracing experiments (anterograde and retrograde), confocal/electron microscopy, and in vitro intra-cellular recording and filling. The long term goals are to probe for structural-functional correlations in temporal association cortex, address basic cellular and columnar organization and how this relates to neuronal processes, and assess area-specific specializations.


figure
Larger View
A and B. Coronal sections through the orbitofrontal cortex of a monkey (medial is to the right; dorsal at the top). At the border of layers 1 and 2, apical dendrites of layer 2 neurons form distinct clusters (visualized by immunohistochemistry for microtubule associated protein (MAP2)).
B. Adjacent section reacted by zinc histochemistry. Note the patches of zinc positive terminations, similar in size and location to the dendritic patches. Scale bar = 1.0mm for A and B.
C. EGFP expression in pyramidal neurons in layers 5 and 6 of rat cortex, after an injection in thalamus. Boxed images at right are higher magnification to show distribution and shape of dendritic spines.

Research Subjects

  1. Pyramidal cell populations: a. Layer specific (retrograde labeling and in situ hybridization), b. Zinc-positive projections
  2. Long-distance connectivity: a. Pysiologically characterized areas (focus analysis), b. Microcircuitry )EGFP-labeled neurons and BDA-labeled afferents)
  3. Modularity: a. Rat retrosplenial cortex, b. Rat perirhnial cortex, c. Monkey temporal cortex

Selected Publications

  1. Ichinohe, N., Knight, A., Ogawa, M., Ohshima, T., Mikoshiba, K., Yoshihara, Y., Terashima, T., and Rockland, K.S.:
    "Unusual patch matrix organization in the retrosplenial cortex of the reeler mouse shaking rat Kawasaki."
    Cereb. Cortex, 18, 1125-1138 (2008)
  2. Tomioka, R., and Rockland, K.S.:
    "Long-distance coricocortical GABAergic neurons in the adult monkey white and gray matter."
    J. Comp. Neurol., 505, 526-538 (2007)
  3. Miyashita, T., Ichinohe, N., and Rockland, K.S.:
    "GABAergic projections from the hippocampus to the retrosplenial cortex in the rat."
    Euro. J. Neurosci., 26, 1193-1204 (2007)
  4. Miyashita, T., Ichinohe, N., and Rockland, K.S.:
    "Differential modes of termination of amygdalothalamic and amygdalocortical projections in the monkey."
    J. Comp. Neurol., 520, 309-324 (2007)
  5. Watakabe, A, Ichinohe, N., Ohsawa, S., Hashikawa, T., Komatsu, Y., Rockland, K.S., and Yamamori, T.:
    "Comparative analysis of layer-specific genes in manmalian neocortex."
    Cereb. Cortex, 17, 1918-1933 (2007)
  6. Ichinohe, N., Potatov, D., and Rockland, K.S.:
    "Transient synaptic zinc-positive thalamocortical terminals in the developing barrel cortex."
    Euro. J. Neurosci., 24, 1001-1010 (2006)
  7. Yamamori, T., and Rockland, K.S.:
    "Neocortical areas, layers, connections, and gene expression."
    Neurosci. Res., 55, 11-27 (2006)
  8. Tomioka, R., and Rockland, K.S.:
    "Improved Golgi-like visualization in retrogradely projecting neurons, after EGFP-adenovirus infection in adult rat and monkey."
    J. Histochem. Cytochem., 54, 539-535 (2006)
  9. Rockland, K.S., and Ichinohe, N.:
    "Some thoughts on cortical minicolumns."
    Exp. Brain. Res., 158, 265-277 (2004)
  10. Ichinohe, N., Matsushita, A., Hyde, J., Ohta, K., and Rockland, K.S.:
    "Confocal mapping of cortical inputs onto identified pyramidal neurons."
    Front. Biosci, 13, 6354-6373 (2008)

Main Publications at RIKEN


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