[Afferent connections of the caudate nucleus of cats studied using the technic of retrograde axonal transport].

The horseradish peroxidase method was used to investigate the sources of direct and indirect connections to the caudate nucleus in the cat. It is shown that different cortical and subcortical areas contain cells projecting to the caudate nucleus. Labelled neurons after caudate injections were also found in the globus pallidus. Along with the intralaminar complex the ventral anterior and mediodorsal nuclei were found to be the most significant sources of thalamo-caudate projections. The most caudal projection to the caudate nucleus in the cat was demonstrated by finding labelled neurons in the locus coeruleus. The functional significance of the investigated afferent connections of the caudate nucleus is discussed.