Using axonal retrograde tracing, combined with morphometric analysis, we compared the distribution and number of claustral neurons projecting to the motor and somatosensory cortical areas in the Wistar rat. Comparable volumes of the retrograde tracer Fluoro-Gold, were injected into the motor or somatosensory cortices. Injections into these areas resulted in labeling of neurons along the entire length of the claustrum. Neurons retrogradely labeled after injection into the motor cortex prevailed in the anterior part of the claustrum, whereas those projecting to the somatosensory cortex predominated in the central part.
The mean number of claustral neurons retrogradely labeled after tracer injections into the motor cortex significantly outnumbered that from the somatosensory cortical area (p<0.01). Similarly, the mean value of the numerical density of the retrogradely labeled neurons was significantly higher for the motor projection zone in the claustrum, than for the somatosensory projection zone (p<0.001). The contralateral claustral projections, both into the motor and somatosensory cortices, were considerably lower in number than the ipsilateral ones.
These findings indicate that: (1) the claustral projections to the various cortical regions seem to be differentiated (2) the distribution of claustral neurons projecting to the motor and somatosensory neocortical areas shows an anteroposterior gradient, (3) the claustrum of the rat appears to be more closely related to the motor than to the somatosensory system, (4) the rat claustrum seems to function more as a satellite than a relay structure in relationship to the cerebral cortex.