Locomotor activity can be a sensitive indicator of developmental toxicity and hence, measurement of this behavior is typically included in screening batteries (see later this chapter). Locomotion can be divided into two elements: ambulation (horizontally directed movement) and rearing (vertically directed movement).
While there is a wealth of knowledge on the development of locomotor behavior in human infants, children, and adolescents, pre-clinical animal models have fallen behind on the study of the emergence of behavioral motifs in locomotor function across postnatal development.
Methods for evaluating locomotor behavior in rodents fall into two general categories: automated monitoring of behavior and direct observational techniques. This unit presents protocols for measurement of locomotor activity using photocell-based automated monitoring systems, and direct observation using interval and ordinal scales.
Total locomotor activity refers to any movement made by the rat that is picked up by the sensors. This can include repeated activation of a single sensor. Ambulatory locomotor activity refers to the movement made by the rat as it moves between distinct sensors, excluding repeated activation of a single sensor.
Locomotor activity can be measured in specially designed cages that project infrared beams from one side of the cage to the other. Each time an animal moves around the cage, it breaks the beam and a computer records the time and position (Figure 2.1 ). Alternatively, if cages with infrared beams are not available, a scientist can place a camera above the cage and record activity. Computer tracking programs can then be used to statistically analyze the total locomotor activity over time. Depending on the specific setup, a scientist can examine horizontal activity, vertical activity, time spent in various regions of the cage, and total distance traveled.
Despite its apparent simplicity; however, locomotor activity is considered an apical measure because it is influenced not only by the state of the animal’s motor system but also by sensory and motivational factors.
Up to PD 7–8 in mice 84 and PD 10 in rats, 85 pups ambulate primarily by pivoting and crawling. Thereafter, however, a rapid transition to walking occurs such that by PD 15 in rats, the animals have begun to display adult-like gait. 85 Interestingly, there is also a large surge in the amount of locomotor activity between PD 10 and 15, followed by further changes that depend on how the behavior is measured (Bâ et al.). 69,72,86 Given the rapid development of ambulation during the second postnatal week, testing of subjects around this time period may reveal whether prenatal or early postnatal toxicant exposure has caused a maturational delay.
Locomotion can be divided into two elements: ambulation (horizontally directed movement) and rearing (vertically directed movement).
The experimental results have clearly shown that the optic lobes are crucial elements in the circadian system and suggested that they might, in fact, be the site of the circadian pacemakers: removal of both lobes produces locomotor arrhythmia, whereas animals remained rhythmic following removal of either lobe alone.
Subsequent increases in accumbal dopamine release that result from repeated exposure to a psychostimulant drug.
A neuronal retrograde tracer used experimentally to visualize afferent fibers and cell bodies connecting to the targeted injection site.
The olfactory tubercle has been shown to play a large role in behavior. Unilateral lesions in the olfactory tubercle have been shown to alter attention, social and sensory responsiveness, and even locomotor behavior. Bilateral lesions have been shown to reduce copulatory behavior in male rats. The olfactory tubercle has also been shown to be especially involved in reward and addictive behaviors. Rats have been shown to administer cocaine into the olfactory tubercle more than the nucleus accumbens and ventral pallidum, other reward centers in the brain. In fact, they will administer cocaine into the olfactory tubercle at about 200 times per hour and even till death.
In humans and other primates, visual identification of the olfactory tubercle is not easy because the basal forebrain bulge is small in these animals. With regard to functional anatomy, the olfactory tubercle can be considered to be a part of three larger networks.
In fact, they will administer cocaine into the olfactory tubercle at about 200 times per hour and even till death.
Olfactory tubercle. The olfactory tubercle ( OT ), also known as the tuberculum olfactorium, is a multi-sensory processing center that is contained within the olfactory cortex and ventral striatum and plays a role in reward cognition. The OT has also been shown to play a role in locomotor and attentional behaviors, ...
In general, the olfactory tubercle is located at the basal forebrain of the animal within the medial temporal lobe. Specifically, parts of the tubercle are included in the olfactory cortex and nested between the optic chiasm and olfactory tract and ventral to the nucleus accumbens.
The olfactory tubercle is a multi-sensory processing center due to the number of innervations going to and from other brain regions such as the amygdala, thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus , brain stem, auditory and visual sensory fibers, and a number of structures in the reward–arousal system, as well as the olfactory cortex.
The dopaminergic neurons of the mesolimbic pathway project onto the GABAergic medium spiny neurons of the nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle (receptor D3 is abundant in these two areas ). In addition, the OT contains tightly packed cell clusters known as the islands of Calleja, which consist of granule cells.
Five categories of primate locomotion are typically recognized : -arboreal quadrapedalism - terrestrial quadrupedalism - vertical clinging and leaping - suspensory - bipedalism
Humans foragers have long day ranges. Through bipedalism, their hands are free for other activities. Experiments have shown that bipedalism is more efficient. Costs less energy to cover the same distance. Bipedal animals could conserve energy while foraging.
For locomotion, we focus on features of the skeleton because they...- can provide info about both phylogeny and adaptation - are best documented aspects of primate locomotor anatomy - are the most useful in reconstructing locomotor habits of fossils
Terrestrial quadrupeds are relatively rare among primates, and none show the striking adaptions of terrestrial runner such as cheetahs or antelopes . Most of their adaptations relate to the use of more extended limb postures on a flat broad surface. They have a deep trunk and long limbs for striding and speed. Restricted shoulder joint provides more limited anterior posterior movement, then complex rotational movement. Forelimbs and hindlimbs long and of similar length which are effective adaptations for speed and for aft movement. Reduced tail not needed for support or balance in terrestrial habitats. Short toes suitable for weight bearing, rather than grasping branches.
There are potential risks associated with the combo of bipedal locomotion and encephalization. Demands of bipedalism have restricted the size of the pelvis and birth canal. Humans are unique among large bodied primates in producing infants with large heads relative to mother's weight and birth canal dimensions.
The greater tubercle therefore acts as a location for the transfer of forces from the rotator cuff muscles to the humerus.
The lateral surface of the greater tubercle is convex, rough, and continuous with the lateral surface of the body of the humerus. It can be described as having a cranial and a caudal part.
23390. Anatomical terms of bone. The greater tubercle of the humerus is situated lateral to the head of the humerus and posterolateral to the lesser tubercle .
The upper surface of the greater tubercle is rounded, and marked by three flat impressions: the highest ("superior facet") gives insertion to the supraspinatus muscle. the middle ("middle facet") gives insertion to the infraspinatus muscle.
The greater tubercle may be fractured, but is quite rare. The greater tubercle is usually the easiest part of the humerus to palpate. It can be a useful surface landmark during surgery.
The olfactory tubercle (OT), also known as the tuberculum olfactorium, is a multi-sensory processing center that is contained within the olfactory cortex and ventral striatum and plays a role in reward cognition. The OT has also been shown to play a role in locomotor and attentional behaviors, particularly in relation to social and sensory responsiveness, and it may be necessary for behavioral f…
The olfactory tubercle differs in location and relative size between humans, other primates, rodents, birds, and other animals. In most cases, the olfactory tubercle is identified as a round bulge along the basal forebrain anterior to the optic chiasm and posterior to the olfactory peduncle. In humans and other primates, visual identification of the olfactory tubercle is not easy because the basal forebrain bulge is small in these animals. With regard to functional anatomy, the olfact…
The olfactory tubercle plays a functional role in the multisensory integration of olfactory information with extra modal senses. Auditory sensory information may arrive at the olfactory tubercle via networks involving the hippocampus and ventral pallidum or directly from the olfactory cortex, thus showing a possible role of the olfactory tubercle in olfactory auditory sensory integration. This convergence has been shown to cause the perception of sound, caused by the i…
The multi-sensory nature of the olfactory tubercle and the many innervations it receives from other brain regions, especially the direct input from the olfactory bulb and innervations from the ventral tegmental area, makes it likely to be involved in several psychiatric disorders in which olfaction and dopamine receptors are affected. Many studies have found reduced olfactory sensitivity in patients with major depressive disorders (MDD) and dementia and schizophrenia. Pa…
The olfactory tubercle was first described by Albert von Kölliker in 1896, who studied them in rats. Since then, there have been several histological and histochemical studies; done in this area to identify it in other rodents, cats, humans, non-human primates, and other species. Similar studies were done by several authors to find the cell composition and innervations to and from other regions in the OT. Over the years, several other methods have been employed to find the possibl…
• Mesolimbic pathway
• Heimer, L. (2003). "A new anatomical framework for neuropsychiatric disorders and drug abuse". American Journal of Psychiatry. 160 (10): 1726–1739. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.160.10.1726. PMID 14514480.
• Ikemoto, S. (2007). "Dopamine reward circuitry: two projection systems from the ventral midbrain to the nucleus accumbens-olfactory tubercle complex". Brain Research Reviews. 56 (1): 27–78. doi:10.1016/j.brainresrev.2007.05.004. PMC 21349…
• Heimer, L. (2003). "A new anatomical framework for neuropsychiatric disorders and drug abuse". American Journal of Psychiatry. 160 (10): 1726–1739. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.160.10.1726. PMID 14514480.
• Ikemoto, S. (2007). "Dopamine reward circuitry: two projection systems from the ventral midbrain to the nucleus accumbens-olfactory tubercle complex". Brain Research Reviews. 56 (1): 27–78. doi:10.1016/j.brainresrev.2007.05.004. PMC 2134972. PMID 17574681.
• http://brainmaps.org/ajax-viewer.php?datid=1&sname=1201&hname=olfactory%20tubercle&hlabel=OLT
• The Enigmatic Olfactory Tubercle Overview on current research of the Olfactory tubercle at NIDCD.
• Brain Regions: Olfactory Tubercle Basic info about the tubercle at NeuroLex.