The cortico-related zones of the rabbit claustrum-study of the claustrocortical connections based on the retrograde axonal transport of fluorescent tracers.

The claustrocortical connections in the rabbit were assessed for the first time by the method of axonal retrograde transport of two fluorescent tracers (Fast Blue and Diamidino Yellow). The material consisted of 23 adult New Zealand rabbits. Projection zones of spindle-like form, connected with the precentral, postcentral, temporal and occipital cortices have been delineated. They are organized topographically both in the anteroposterior and ventrodorsal direction. The precentral (motor) projection zone is localized in the anterodorsal part of the claustrum. It may be divided into two separate parts that project to the medial and lateral part of the precentral cortex. The large postcentral (somatosensory) zone occupies mainly the central part, whereas the temporal (auditory) and occipital (visual) zones are situated in the posteroventral part of the claustrum. The overlap of various claustral projection zones is differentiated, the largest being that of the somatosensory zones. In comparison to the results of study of claustral projection zones performed on other species, presumably on the rat and cat, its seems plausible to conclude that the extension of claustral projection zones and degree of their overlap in the rabbit represent an intermediate character.