Odor response characteristics of thalamic mediodorsal nucleus neurons in the rabbit.

Extracellular responses were recorded from neurons in the thalamic mediodorsal nucleus (MD) of the lightly anesthetized rabbit. Eighty-seven neurons responded to electrical stimulation of the lateral olfactory tract (LOT shocks). They were located in the medial portion of the MD. In the same portion, negative field potentials with a short latency were evoked by the electrical stimulation of the olfactory projection area in the neocortex (OPA shocks). Fifty-nine MD neurons responded both to LOT and to OPA shocks. Among them, 17 thalamocortical relay neurons (which responded antidromically to OPA shocks) were found to respond transsynaptically to LOT shocks. Of the 87 LOT-responsive MD neurons, 48 responded to the odors applied. Eight odor-sensitive neurons were found to be the thalamocortical relay neurons. Thus, it was proven for the first time that a portion of the olfactory input to the OPA is mediated via relay neurons in the MD. Characteristics of response of MD neurons to odor stimulation were compared with those of OPA neurons. MD neurons did not show a selectivity of response to odors of urine, feces, or dry food pellets, to which OPA neurons responded exclusively. These results were discussed in relation to the functional role of the MD-OPA projection system in the discrimination of specific odors.