Banca de DEFESA: WIGINIO GABRIEL DE LIRA BANDEIRA

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : WIGINIO GABRIEL DE LIRA BANDEIRA
DATE: 11/09/2026
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: On line
TITLE:

NEUROANATOMY OF ANTEROGRADE PROJECTIONS FROM THE MEDIODORSAL THALAMIC NUCLEUS TO THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX OF THE COMMON MARMOSET (Callithrix jacchus)

KEY WORDS:

1.Callithrix jacchus. 2.Neuroanatomy. 3.Neural Conectivity. 4.Thalamocortical tract.

PAGES: 102
BIG AREA: Ciências Biológicas
AREA: Morfologia
SUBÁREA: Anatomia
SUMMARY:

The dorsal medial nucleus of the thalamus plays a crucial role in regulating higher cognitive processes,
such as working memory and decision-making, acting as a strategic interface between the limbic system
and the prefrontal cortex. Considering the translational relevance of this circuit and the need for
detailed anatomical information in non-human primate models, this thesis aimed to characterize the
neuroanatomical organization, topographic specificity, and laminar distribution of anterograde
projections from the dorsal medial nucleus to the prefrontal cortex in the common marmoset (Callithrix
jacchus). To this end, stereotaxic surgeries were performed on five adult specimens by iontophoretic
injection of the anterograde tracer Biotinylated Dextran (BDA) specifically into the subdivisions of the
dorsal medial nucleus of the thalamus. Subsequently, brain tissue was processed using histochemical
techniques to reveal the tracer, as well as Nissl, Acetylcholinesterase, and Gallyas staining for precise
delimitation of the nuclear subdivisions of the middle dorsal thalamic nucleus: medial (MDM), central
(MDC), lateral (MDL), and caudodorsal (MDcd). The results indicated a topographic organization in
which the central subdivision of the nucleus projects preferentially to the dorsolateral and rostral
domains of the cortex, encompassing areas 10, 46, and 45. In contrast, the lateral subdivision
establishes robust connections with ventrolateral and premotor regions, including areas 47, 8, and 6, in
addition to sending collaterals to subcortical structures such as the striatum and amygdala. The medial
and caudodorsal subdivisions are related to ventromedial projections, mainly to areas 25. Microscopic
analysis of the cortical lamination revealed that thalamocortical axons form plexuses concentrated
mainly in layer III, evidencing a dual innervation architecture with distinct functional implications for
information processing. The study concludes that thalamofrontal connectivity in the marmoset is not
diffuse, but rather organized into discrete and heterogeneous modules that provide consolidative
support for the functional specialization of prefrontal areas, mainly in the cognitive context.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 4363493 - EXPEDITO SILVA DO NASCIMENTO JUNIOR
Externo à Instituição - JORGE ALEXÁNDER RÍOS FLÓREZ
Externo à Instituição - JOSÉ PABLO RUBIO GARRIDO
Externo ao Programa - 1504179 - PAULO LEONARDO ARAUJO DE GOIS MORAIS - nullExterno à Instituição - RAFAEL PLAKOUDI SOUTO MAIOR