Afferent connections of the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus in the rat: an HRP study.

The afferent connections of the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (VLGN) of the albino rat were studied using the HRP-retrograde transport method. Neurons projecting to the VLGN were found in 4 visual systems areas: layer V of the ipsilateral visual cortex (areas 17 and 18), the stratum griseum superficiale of the ipsilateral superior colliculus, the ipsilateral olivary, anterior and posterior pretectal nuclei and in the contralateral medial divisions of the VLGN. Labeled neurons were also found bilaterally in the nucleus raphe dorsalis and nucleus locus coeruleus.