Regional and cell-type-specific afferent and efferent projections of the mouse claustrum

• Published in: Cell reports (Cambridge) Vol. 42; no. 2; p. 112118
• Main Authors: Wang, Quanxin, Wang, Yun, Kuo, Hsien-Chi, Xie, Peng, Kuang, Xiuli, Hirokawa, Karla E., Naeemi, Maitham, Yao, Shenqin, Mallory, Matt, Ouellette, Ben, Lesnar, Phil, Li, Yaoyao, Ye, Min, Chen, Chao, Xiong, Wei, Ahmadinia, Leila, El-Hifnawi, Laila, Cetin, Ali, Sorensen, Staci A., Harris, Julie A., Zeng, Hongkui, Koch, Christof
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 28.02.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: AAV; anterograde tracing; cell type; claustrum; CP: Neuroscience; isocortex; mouse; rabies virus; retrograde tracing; single neuron reconstruction; mouse; rabies virus; CP: Neuroscience; AAV; single neuron reconstruction; claustrum; anterograde tracing; isocortex; cell type; retrograde tracing
• ISSN: 2211-1247; 2211-1247
• DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112118

The claustrum (CLA) is a conspicuous subcortical structure interconnected with cortical and subcortical regions. Its regional anatomy and cell-type-specific connections in the mouse remain not fully determined. Using multimodal reference datasets, we confirmed the delineation of the mouse CLA as a single group of neurons embedded in the agranular insular cortex. We quantitatively investigated brain-wide inputs and outputs of CLA using bulk anterograde and retrograde viral tracing data and single neuron tracing data. We found that the prefrontal module has more cell types projecting to the CLA than other cortical modules, with layer 5 IT neurons predominating. We found nine morphological types of CLA principal neurons that topographically innervate functionally linked cortical targets, preferentially the midline cortical areas, secondary motor area, and entorhinal area. Together, this study provides a detailed wiring diagram of the cell-type-specific connections of the mouse CLA, laying a foundation for studying its functions at the cellular level. [Display omitted] •The prefrontal module sends stronger input to CLA than the other 5 cortical modules•The claustrum receives stronger input from L5 IT neurons than from other cell types•The claustrum receives inputs from 31 subcortical structures•Nine types of claustrum principal neurons innervate diverse cortical targets The claustrum is a subcortical structure interconnected with cortical and subcortical regions and its cellular anatomy remains not fully resolved. Wang et al. show regional and cell-type-specific inputs and outputs of the mouse claustrum. Its strong connections with the prefrontal module support the claustrum’s involvement in higher cognitive functions.