Distribution of putative neurotransmitters in the neocortex

Histaminergic axons in the neostriatum and cerebral cortex of the rat: a correlated light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical study using histidine decarboxylase as a marker

Histaminergic nerve fibers and their axonal varicosities in the neostriatum and cerebral cortex were light and electronmicroscopically examined by means of peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemistry with histidine decarboxylase (HDC) as a marker. A majority of HDC-like immunoreactive axonal varicosities observed in serial thin sections for electron microscopy exhibited no synaptic contacts in either the neostriatum or cerebral cortex. The remaining small proportion of immunoreactive axonal varicosities formed synaptic contacts with non-immunoreactive dendritic shafts and spines.

Morphology of acetylcholinesterase-containing neurons in primary cultures of dissociated rat cerebral cortex

Acetylcholinesterase-containing neurons were investigated in primary cultures of cerebral cortex. Neuronal cholinesterase staining was essentially totally attributable to acetylcholinesterase based on its pattern of sensitivity to pharmacological inhibitors. The mean percentage of stained neurons in the cultures was 2.17. Stained neurons of all morphologies were detected: however, the majority of the cells possessed bipolar morphology. The stained bipolar neurons were not a homogeneous morphological population.

Synaptic connections of intracellularly filled clutch cells: a type of small basket cell in the visual cortex of the cat

Light and electron microscopic quantitative analysis was carried out on a type of neuron intracellularly filled with horseradish peroxidase. Two cells were studied in area 17, one of which was injected intra-axonally, and its soma was not recovered. One cell was studied in area 18. The two somata were on the border of layers IVa/b; they were radially elongated and received synapses from numerous large boutons with round synaptic vesicles. The dendrites were smooth and remained largely in layer IV. The cells can be recognised on the basis of their axonal arbor, which was restricted to layer IV (90-95% of boutons) with minor projections to layers III, V, and VI. Many of the large, bulbous boutons contacted neuronal somata, short collaterals often forming "claw"-like configurations around cells. The name "clutch cell" is suggested to delineate this type of neuron from other aspiny multipolar cells. Computer-assisted reconstruction of the axon showed that in layer IV the axons occupied a rectangular area about 300 X 500 microns, elongated anteroposteriorly in area 17 and mediolaterally in area 18. The distributions of synaptic boutons and postsynaptic cells were patchy within this area. A total of 321 boutons were serially sectioned in area 17. The boutons formed type II synaptic contacts. The postsynaptic targets were somata (20-30%), dendritic shafts (35-50%), spines (30%), and rarely axon initial segments. Most of the postsynaptic somata tested were not immunoreactive for GABA and their fine structural features suggest that they are spiny stellate, star pyramidal, and pyramidal neurons. The characteristics of most of the postsynaptic dendrites and spines also suggest that they belong to these spiny neurons. A few of the postsynaptic dendrites and somata exhibited characteristics of cells with smooth dendrites and these somata were immunoreactive for GABA. It is suggested that clutch cells are inhibitory interneurons exerting their effect mainly on layer IV spiny neurons in an area localised perhaps to a single ocular dominance column. The specific laminar location of the axons of clutch cell also suggests that they may be associated with the afferent terminals of lateral geniculate nucleus cells, and could thus be responsible for generating some of the selective properties of neurons of the first stage of cortical processing.

Effect of early malnutrition on dynamic properties of axodendritic synapses in the rat prefrontal cortex

The influence of early protein-calorie malnutrition on synaptic transmission in the rat prefrontal cortex was studied by evoking direct cortical responses with different trains of threshold electrical pulses. Malnutrition resulted in a requirement for increased pulse train stimulating current, reflecting a diminished release of neurotransmitter from the preterminal endings. In addition there was an increase in the time constant of pyramidal cells, indicating that axodendritic synapses have a disability for integrating high frequency inputs at the post synaptic level. It is concluded that early malnutrition alters dynamic properties of axodentritic synapses at both the pre- and the postsynaptic levels.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase-like immunoreactive neurites in senile plaques

In the neocortex of an aged (26-year-old) rhesus monkey, a small percentage of abnormal neurites within some senile plaques (defined by the presence of amyloid) were immunoreactive for glutamic acid decarboxylase. This suggests that gamma-aminobutyric acid-synthesizing neurons may contribute to plaque formation in the aged brain.

Cholinergic ventral forebrain grafts into the neocortex improve passive avoidance memory in a rat model of Alzheimer disease

The memory dysfunction of Alzheimer disease has been associated with a cortical cholinergic deficiency and loss of cholinergic neurons of the nucleus basalis of Meynert. This cholinergic component of Alzheimer disease can be modeled in the rat by ibotenic acid lesions of the cholinergic nucleus basalis magnocellularis. The memory impairment caused by such unilateral lesions, as reflected in passive avoidance behavior, is reversed by grafts into the deafferented neocortex of embryonic neurons of the cholinergic ventral forebrain, but not by grafts of noncholinergic hippocampal cells.

Autoradiographic mapping of somatostatin receptors in the rat central nervous system and pituitary

Somatostatin receptor-binding sites have been visualized by autoradiography in the rat central nervous system and the pituitary using the [Tyr3] derivative of the stable octapeptide somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995, code named 204-090 (sequence in text), which has been shown to label specifically high-affinity somatostatin receptors in brain homogenates. Receptors are particularly concentrated in the deeper layers of the cerebral cortex and large areas of the limbic system are rich in somatostatin receptors, in particular the hippocampus (CA1, CA2, dentate gyrus), most amygdaloid nuclei, the medial habenula and the septum. Parts of the olfactory, visual and auditory, as well as visceral and somatic sensory systems are heavily labelled, in particular the anterior olfactory nucleus and tubercle, the superior and inferior colliculi, the nucleus of the solitary tract, the substantia gelatinosa of the spinal cord and the spinal trigeminal nucleus. It is of interest that the central grey and locus coeruleus are also substantially labelled with [125I]204-090. Striatum has moderate amounts of somatostatin receptors, distributed in a patchy and heterogeneous way. Cerebellum and substantia nigra are virtually devoid of somatostatin receptors. The described receptors are likely to represent the molecular target for a variety of pharmacological actions of somatostatin in the central nervous system and they emphasize the role played by somatostatin as a neuropeptide in this organ.

Widespread distribution of brain dopamine receptors evidenced with [125I]iodosulpride, a highly selective ligand

The new benzamide derivative [125I]iodosulpride is a highly sensitive and selective ligand for D-2 dopamine receptors and displays a very low nonspecific binding to membrane or autoradiographic sections. On autoradiographic images, D-2 receptors are present not only in well-established dopaminergic areas but also, in a discrete manner, in a number of catecholaminergic regions in which the dopaminergic innervation is still unknown, imprecise, or controversial, as in the sensorimotor cerebral cortex or cerebellum. This widespread distribution suggests larger physiological and pathophysiological roles for cerebral dopamine receptors than was previously thought.

Synthesis of acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid by dissociated cerebral cortical cells in vitro

Biosynthesis of acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid was investigated in primary cultures derived from embryonic rat cerebral cortex. The cortical cultures contained a mixture of neurons and non-neuronal cells. Cortical neurons were viable for at least 2 months in vitro. The cultures accumulated [3H]choline from the medium and synthesized acetylcholine. Choline uptake was significantly reduced by hemicholinium-3 and acetylcholine synthesis by intact cultures was partially inhibited by naphthylvinylpyridine. In lysed cultures, greater than 90% of acetylcholine synthesizing activity was inhibited by naphthylvinylpyridine. Acetylcholine synthesis and storage by intact cells increased as the concentration of choline increased and approached saturation near 50 microM choline. Also, the synthesis and storage of gamma-aminobutyric acid from [3H]glutamate increased as the concentration of glutamic acid increased and began to saturate near 25 microM glutamate. The rates of synthesis of acetylcholine from 5 microM choline and of gamma-aminobutyric acid from 50 microM glutamate were linear for at least 30 min. The synthesis and accumulation of acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid from their respective precursors showed a similar dependence on culture age; they increased constantly during the first 3 weeks in culture, thereafter they declined. Mixed cultures of cortical cells and either skeletal muscle or various other non-neuronal cells exhibited a 40-100% enhancement in both acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid synthesis. Autoradiographic methods showed that a subpopulation of neurons in the cortical cultures accumulated gamma-aminobutyric acid from the medium.

Laminar distributions of neurons sensitive to acetylcholine, noradrenaline and dopamine in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of the monkey

Sensitivities of neurons to acetylcholine (ACh), noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA) were investigated at different depths of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) in awake or halothane-anesthetized macaque monkeys, using microiontophoretic techniques with multi-barreled electrodes. The laminar locations of tested neurons (n = 403) were estimated by reconstructing electrode tracks based on the microlesion made by passing a current through the recording barrel, which contained a carbon fiber. Iontophoretically applied drugs induced excitatory or inhibitory responses. Neurons excited by ACh (n = 105) were located mainly in layers III and V, and those inhibited by ACh (n = 126) were in layers III and IV. The majority of the NA-sensitive neurons (n = 123) were NA-inhibited neurons (n = 100), and were found most often in layers III and IV. The ratio of DA-sensitive neurons (excited, n = 74; inhibited, n = 63) to tested neurons was higher in the deep layers than in the superficial ones. These results indicate that sensitivities of the PFC neurons to ACh, NA and DA are not uniform between cortical layers, suggesting that each of these substances may predominantly influence the neuronal activity of particular layers of the monkey PFC.

The monoaminergic innervation of the rat visual cortex

The intracortical distribution of monoamines, noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT), was examined in the visual cortex of the rat with high pressure liquid chromatography (h.p.l.c.) and radioautography. H.p.l.c. measurements showed the densities of both amines to be highest in layer I. The concentration of NA varied considerably in all other layers while the 5-HT concentration decreased with increasing distance from the pial surface. The morphological characteristics of the monoaminergic axon-terminals in the cerebral cortex has been the subject of controversy in recent years. We have used radioautography following topical or intraventricular administration of tritiated amines to examine the ultrastructural features of these terminals in the visual cortex of the rat. Systematic analysis of single sections revealed that more than one-half of the terminals labelled with tritiated NA or 5-HT formed typical synaptic contacts (mostly type I) with dendritic shafts or spines.

Modulatory and inhibitory processes in the visual cortex

The functional role of three putative neurotransmitter systems in the visual cortex is compared; the GABAergic inhibitory interneurons, the interneurones containing somatostatin and the cholinergic input originating from the nucleus basalis of Meynert (nbM). Evidence is presented to support the role of GABAergic processes in the generation of the functional structure of the visual cortex and the view that the cholinergic input exerts a neuromodulatory influence enhancing stimulus selective responses. Although the neuropeptide somatostatin produces facilitatory and inhibitory effects on visual cortical cells there is no clear functional pattern to its action. The possible significance of this data and the interaction of SSt with GABA is discussed in the light of evidence that they may coexist in some cells.

Bicuculline epileptogenesis in the rat

Bicuculline has been applied electrophoretically from a fluid filled microelectrode at different depths within the primary somatosensory area of the cerebral cortex of rats anaesthetized with urethane. The delay between onset of drug application at a constant rate and onset of spontaneous focal interictal epileptiform discharges (FIEDs), detected by a nearby recording microelectrode, was least when bicuculline was applied at a depth of 0.65 mm below the pial surface. The subsequent frequency of FIEDs and their voltage excursion were also greatest at this depth. The relationship between the delay of onset of epileptiform spiking and the depth of drug application was very similar to that previously determined for penicillin. This similarity of the sensitivity profiles suggests that the epileptogenic actions of the two agents may be attributable to a common mechanism. At low concentrations, both agents specifically block GABAergic inhibitory synaptic transmission in brain tissue. This is likely to be the mechanism of their epileptogenic effects. Other synaptic and non-synaptic mechanisms cannot, however, be ruled out because of the high concentrations which are achieved locally when a chemical is applied from a point source.

Serotonin receptor changes in dementia of the Alzheimer type

Serotonin receptors were assessed in post-mortem brains of control and Alzheimer-type dementia (ATD) patients using ligand binding techniques. Differential losses of serotonin S1 and S2 receptors were present in neocortex, hippocampus, and amygdala of ATD patients, whereas no significant changes were observed in basal forebrain and basal ganglia. Losses of S1 receptors were significantly age-related in the ATD group, suggesting they occurred at a later stage of the disease process. Losses of S2 receptors were considerably greater (with a reduction to 35% of control in temporal cortex) and were not age-related in ATD. Significant correlations were observed within the ATD group between S2 receptor binding and somatostatin immunoreactivity in temporal and frontal cortices. Thus the loss of S2 receptors in ATD may be a relatively early change in the disease process, and may precede the changes in ascending serotonergic neurones.

Immunohistochemical evidence for the coexistence of histidine decarboxylase-like and glutamate decarboxylase-like immunoreactivities in nerve cells of the magnocellular nucleus of the posterior hypothalamus of rats

Immunohistochemical staining of alternate consecutive sections revealed numerous histidine decarboxylase (L-histidine carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.22)-like immunoreactive neurons that also contained glutamate decarboxylase (L-glutamate 1-carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.15)-like immunoreactive structures in the tuberal magnocellular nucleus, the caudal magnocellular nucleus, and the postmammillary caudal magnocellular nucleus of the posterior hypothalamus of rats. Furthermore, in immunohistochemical double-staining procedures, almost all neurons in the magnocellular nuclei had both histidine decarboxylase-like and glutamate decarboxylase-like immunoreactivities. These results suggest the coexistence of histamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid in single neurons in these nuclei.

Activation of the noradrenergic projection from locus coeruleus reduces the excitatory responses of anterior cingulate cortical neurones to substance P

The effects of activating the coeruleocortical pathway on responses of cingulate cortical cells to substance P was determined in the rat. The pathway was activated by means of small injections of glutamate, via a stereotaxically positioned cannula, directly into the locus coeruleus. Such injections greatly reduced the excitatory responses of cortical cells evoked by the iontophoretic application of substance P. Variation in the dorsal and lateral sites of injection suggested that the locus coeruleus was the important position for eliciting these effects. Depletion of cortical noradrenaline greatly reduced the ability of these injections to inhibit the substance P responses. Injections of glutamate into the locus coeruleus did not reduce cortical cell responses to acetylcholine. Parenteral administration of propranolol but not phenoxybenzamine blocked the effects of the glutamate injections on the substance P responses. These data support our previous suggestion that the central noradrenergic system may have a functional inhibitory effect on responsiveness to substance P in the cingulate cortex.

Choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive neurons intrinsic to rodent cortex and distinction from acetylcholinesterase-positive neurons

Cholinergic neurons intrinsic to rat cortex were studied using a sensitive method for the localization of choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity, acetylcholinesterase histochemistry, combined localization of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase, and combined localization of choline acetyltransferase and retrogradely transported horseradish peroxidase-wheat germ agglutinin. Choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity was localized predominantly in small bipolar cortical neurons within the upper layers of isocortex, while small multipolar neurons were the predominantly stained cell type in allocortical regions. Acetylcholinesterase histochemistry demonstrated mainly small polymorphic cells scattered throughout all cellular layers in all cortices. Combined staining for choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase resulted in localization of the markers in different cell populations; choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive neurons did not contain detectable acetylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase-positive neurons did not contain detectable immunoreactivity to choline acetyltransferase. Some possible connections of the cortical choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive cells were studied in rats which had received injections of horseradish peroxidase-wheat germ agglutinin into either cortex or brainstem. The choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive cells were frequently admixed with cells labeled with the retrograde marker; however, no double-labeled cells were observed. It was concluded that cortical cholinergic cells are not visualized by acetylcholinesterase histochemistry, and are likely to be involved in local circuitry.

Neuropeptide-containing neurons of the cerebral cortex are also GABAergic

Neurons in the cat and monkey cerebral cortex were stained immunocytochemically for glutamic acid decarboxylase (GluDCase; L-glutamate 1-carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.15), somatostatin (SRIF), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK). In all areas of cortex examined (somatic sensory, motor, parietal and visual areas), neurons displaying immunoreactivity for each of these molecules were nonpyramidal cells. Co-localization of GluDCase immunoreactivity with peptide immunoreactivity in the same cells was demonstrated by (i) the antibody elution method, staining the same cells by immunofluorescence, first for a peptide and then for GluDCase; (ii) double staining of the same sections with sheep anti-GluDCase and rabbit anti-peptide antisera, the bound antibodies being localized by rhodamine-conjugated donkey anti-sheep and fluorescein-conjugated swine anti-rabbit secondary antisera. With both procedures, cell bodies immunoreactive for GluDCase and for each of the peptides were found in all areas of cortex examined. With double labeling on single sections, it was found that all CCK-, SRIF-, and NPY-immunoreactive cells in cat cortex and 90%-95% in monkey cortex are also GluDCase positive. Many more cells, however, are immunoreactive for GluDCase alone. GluDCase was co-localized with CCK, SRIF, or NPY not only in cell somata, but also in small punctate structures, which are likely to be axon terminals. From the data gained in previous electron microscopic studies, we postulate that neurons displaying GluDCase- and CCK-like immunoreactivity are a class separate from those displaying GluDCase- and SRIF-like immunoreactivity. NPY, however, is co-localized with SRIF immunoreactivity. These results imply that classes of cortical interneuron contain a conventional neurotransmitter (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and a neuromodulator (one of the peptides).

Microinjection of procaine or GABA into the nucleus basalis magnocellularis affects cue-elicited unit responses in the rat frontal cortex

Male rats were chronically implanted for recording of single units in the frontal cortex during a cue-event paradigm. The rats were sedated and restrained during the experiments. Units were selected which had large-amplitude, clearly isolated action potentials. The animals were first trained to associated a 2-s tone cue with rewarding medial forebrain bundle stimulation. After training, units responded to the cue by an increase or decrease in discharge rate. Cumulative histograms of the unit response to the cue were obtained and then either procaine hydrochloride or GABA was microinjected into the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (nBM). Immediately after drug administration another histogram was obtained to ascertain the drug effect. Procaine microinjections to the nBM suppressed the frontal cortex unit responses in 9 of 10 units that had previously responded with an increase in firing rate and 10 of 12 units that had decreased their firing rate before drug administration. GABA microinjections antagonized the response in 15 of 19 excited units and 2 of 2 inhibited units. Recovery was obtained in 23 units. Other units did not remain isolated long enough to obtain complete recovery. The nBM supplies the frontal cortex with as much as 70% of its cholinergic innervation. Lesions of the region do not significantly alter the amounts of neurotransmitters other than acetylcholine in the frontal cortex. These results indicate that neurons in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis are involved in the cue-elicited changes in the rate of discharge of units in the rat frontal cortex.

Atlas of cholinergic neurons in the forebrain and upper brainstem of the macaque based on monoclonal choline acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry and acetylcholinesterase histochemistry

Choline acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry was used to map the cholinergic cell bodies in the forebrain and upper brainstem of the macaque brain. Neurons with choline acetyltransferase-like immunoreactivity were seen in the striatal complex, in the septal area, in the diagonal band region, in the substantia innominata, in the medial habenula, in the pontomecencephalic tegmentum and in the oculomotor and trochlear nuclei. The ventral striatum contained a higher density of cholinergic cell bodies than the dorsal striatum. All of the structures that contained the choline acetyltransferase positive neurons also had acetylcholinesterase-rich neurons. Choline acetyltransferase positive neurons were not encountered in the cortex. Some perikarya in the midline, intralaminar, reticular and limbic thalamic nuclei as well as in the hypothalamus were rich in acetylcholinesterase but did not give a positive choline acetyltransferase reaction. A similar dissociation was observed in the substantia nigra, the raphe nuclei and the nucleus locus coeruleus where acetylcholinesterase-rich neurons appeared to lack perikaryal choline acetyltransferase activity.

The monocular and binocular subfields of the rat's primary visual cortex: a quantitative morphological approach

Primary visual cortex in the rat was studied by a variety of methods: transsynaptic transport of labelled amino acids, 2-deoxyglucose, and staining for perikarya, myelin, and acetylcholinesterase. The analysis was aided by a computer-controlled television image analyzer. The results obtained with different methods agree with one another in describing the position and extent of the entire primary visual cortex as well as its monocular (medial) and binocular (lateral) subareas.

Alterations of amino acid transmitter systems in spinal cords of chronic paraplegic dogs

The high-affinity uptake of [3H]serotonin, [3H]glutamate, and [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid [( 3H]GABA) and the Na+-independent binding of [3H]glutamate and [3H]GABA were studied using spinal cord preparations obtained from normal mongrel dogs and from dogs made paraplegic by midthoracic spinal cord crush. Lumbosacral regions of the spinal cord were removed either before (1 week) or after (3 to 8 weeks) onset of spasticity. A myelin-free synaptosomal fraction was obtained by centrifugation and used for studying high-affinity uptake and for preparing synaptic plasma membranes for Na+-independent binding experiments. For the paraplegic groups, the uptake of 30 nM [3H]serotonin was 66 and 18% of control values after 1 and 3 weeks, respectively. Eadie-Hofstee analysis of [3H]serotonin uptake showed a 90% reduction in Vmax for the paraplegic group relative to control values, thereby indicating the expected loss of descending serotonergic pathways. The high-affinity uptakes of 1 microM [3H]glutamate and [3H]GABA were the same in both the control and nonspastic paraplegic groups after 1 week. However, after 3 weeks, the uptakes of [3H]glutamate and [3H]GABA were 60-70% higher for the spastic group than for the control animals. For both amino acids, Eadie-Hofstee plots revealed no difference in Km and higher Vmax for the spastic group relative to control values. After 1 and 3 weeks, the Na+-independent binding of 5 nM [3H]glutamate was 40-85% higher and the binding of 10 nM [3H]GABA was 40-60% lower for the paraplegic groups relative to the values for the control animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Two types of cholinergic innervation in cortex, one co-localized with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide

The existence of cholinergic neuronal cell bodies in mammalian cerebral cortex was long the subject of much controversy (see ref. 1 for review). Recently, however, a specific cholinergic marker, the acetylcholine synthesizing enzyme, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT, E.C.2.3.1.6), was demonstrated by immunohistochemical methods to be present in bipolar neurones in rat cortex. Here we show that at least 80% of these intrinsic cholinergic neurones also contain immunoreactivity for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), a neuroactive peptide found to be present in a subpopulation of cortical neurones. On the other hand, we find that the ChAT-positive cells in the basal forebrain, which are another major source of cholinergic innervation of the cortex, contain no detectable VIP-immunoreactivity. In addition, we have observed by both light and electron microscopy that some VIP- and some ChAT-positive structures in cortex are closely associated with blood vessels.

Biological markers in mental disorders: post-mortem studies

Many neurotransmitters, related enzymes and receptors are stable post-mortem and can be measured in routine autopsy material. Comparison of brain tissue from control and disease cases can provide evidence of alterations in neurotransmitter systems in mental disorders. However, before attributing a difference in the neurochemical profile to the disease process itself, care has to be taken to exclude non-specific influences such as age, agonal state, drug therapy and post-mortem stability. Changes in a chemical marker can be used to assess the specificity of neuronal loss in degenerative disease but it may be impossible to distinguish such changes from alterations in turnover in surviving neurones. These problems are discussed with particular reference to post-mortem studies of schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.

Cholinergic modulation of the functional organization of the cat visual cortex

The cortex receives a cholinergic input which is considered to be involved in mediating the effects of arousal. The experiments reported here have examined the nature of the cholinergic influence on the neuronal organization of the cat visual cortex. Out of 83 cells studied, 92% exhibited a modification in their visual response properties during the iontophoretic application of ACh. These comprised 61% in which responses were facilitated and 31% in which responses were depressed. The facilitatory effects were associated with a striking increase in stimulus specific responses without any concomitant loss in the selectivity. This comment applied equally to orientation and direction selectivity. It is argued that the facilitatory action of ACh on stimulus specific responses is consistent with a modulation of potassium conductance and most probably the conductance associated with a voltage dependent channel. We found no evidence to support the view that the facilitatory action involved disinhibition; the action of bicuculline, which blocks inhibitory influences in the visual cortex, was quite distinct to that of ACh. The facilitatory and depressive effects of ACh did not show any correlation with the simple-complex classification of cells or any other obvious parameter of receptive field organization, but there was a correlation with cortical lamination. Cells facilitated by ACh were found in all cortical laminae, but those depressed by ACh were found in laminae III and IV.

Peptides, the limbic lobe and schizophrenia

The human brain contains several peptides with probable synaptic actions, some of which form complex neuronal networks in the limbic lobe (amygdala, hippocampus and temporal cortex). A limbic lobe abnormality has been postulated in schizophrenia on the basis of similarities between schizophrenic symptoms and symptoms in cases of known limbic pathology. Cholecystokinin (CCK), somatostatin (SRIF), neurotensin (NT), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and substance P (SP)-like immunoreactivities were measured by radioimmunoassay in 10 brain areas of 14 schizophrenics and 12 controls. In the schizophrenic group symptoms had been rated in life and the group was divided into Type I (n = 7) and Type II (n = 7) subgroups on the basis of the absence or presence of morbid negative symptoms. In control brains each peptide showed a characteristic distribution with high levels in cortex (CCK), limbic lobe (SOM, NT, VIP) or striatal areas (SP) and low levels of each of the peptides in thalamus. Significant (P less than 0.05) differences between groups were: reductions of CCK and SOM in hippocampus and CCK in amygdala in Type II schizophrenics, and CCK in the temporal cortex of the total schizophrenic group; and elevations of VIP in amygdala in Type I schizophrenics and of SP in the hippocampus in the total schizophrenic group. The findings could not be explained by variables such as age, delay between death and necropsy or to neuroleptic medication. These clinical-state related alterations in the peptide content of the limbic system in schizophrenia may illuminate the pathophysiological basis of the disease, particularly the distinction between Type I and II syndromes.

A comparison of the distribution of central cholinergic neurons as demonstrated by acetylcholinesterase pharmacohistochemistry and choline acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry

The topographical distribution of cholinergic cell bodies has been studied in the rat brain and spinal cord by choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-immunohistochemistry and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-pharmacohistochemistry using diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP). The ChAT-containing cells and the cells that stained intensely for AChE 4-8 hr after DFP were mapped in detail on an atlas of the forebrain (telencephalon, diencephalon) hindbrain (mesencephalon, rhombencephalon) and cervical cord (C2, C6). Striking similarities were observed between ChAT-positive cells and neuronal soma that stained intensely for AChE both in terms of cytoarchitectural characteristics, and with respect to the distribution of the labelled cells in many areas of the central nervous system (CNS). In the forebrain these areas include the caudatoputamen, nucleus accumbens, medial septum, nucleus of the diagonal band, magnocellular preoptic nucleus and nucleus basalis magnocellularis. In contrast, a marked discrepancy was observed in the hypothalamus and ventral thalamus where there were many neurons that stained intensely for AChE, but where there was an absence of ChAT-positive cells. No cholinergic perikarya were detected in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, amygdala and dorsal diencephalon by either histochemical procedure. In the hindbrain, all the motoneurons constituting the well-established cranial nerve nuclei (III-VII, IX-XII) contained ChAT and exhibited intense staining for AChE. Further, a close correspondence was observed in the distribution of labeled neurons obtained by the two histochemical procedures in the midbrain and pontine tegmentum, including the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, some areas in the caudal pontine and bulbar reticular formation, and the central gray of the closed medulla oblongata. On the other hand, AChE-intense cells were found in the nucleus raphe magnus, ventral part of gigantocellular reticular nucleus, and flocculus of the cerebellum, where ChAT-positive cells were rarely observed. According to both techniques, no positive cells were seen in the cerebellar nuclei, the pontine nuclei, or the nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis. Large ventral horn motoneurons and, occasionally, cells in the intermediomedial zone of the cervical cord displayed ChAT-immunoreactivity and intense AChE staining. On the other hand, AChE-intense cells were detected in the dorsal portion of the lateral funiculus, but immunoreactive cells were not found in any portion of the spinal cord white matter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Neuronal configurations in lateral and basolateral amygdala

The lateral and basolateral nuclei of the rat amygdala have been studied with the rapid Golgi method. Both nuclei have similar cell types, which closely resemble cells in the cerebral cortex. Therefore, we suggest that what is known about cortical circuitry can be used as a guide for studying synaptic circuitry in the lateral and basolateral nuclei. The most abundant neurons that are impregnated in both nuclei are pyramidal cells. They have conical cell bodies and easily recognizable apical and basilar dendrites. The ones in the center of each nucleus have long axes that roughly parallel the long axis of the nucleus. Towards the periphery, pyramidal cells have apical dendrites that either stick directly across the nucleus or follow along a nuclear border. The peripheral dendrites tend to enclose the nuclei. There is considerable overlap among the dendritic trees and the dendrites of one nucleus extend into the territory of the other. Pyramidal cells have extensive axonal systems. The principal axon of basolateral cells usually projects rostrally but long collaterals leave the nucleus in other directions. The axons of lateral nucleus pyramidal cells are also widely distributed. The major thrust of their axons is caudal and lateral. Stellate cells are the most common variety of the non-pyramidal cells. They occur in both nuclei and have round cell bodies, 10-15 micron diameter, and spherical dendritic trees that are confined to a limited region of the nucleus. Their axons form dense terminal fields that remain within the vicinity of the parent cell's dendritic tree. Another type of non-pyramidal cell is the cone cell, whose non-spiny, varicose dendrites describe cones. These neurons are found mainly in the apex of the lateral nucleus. The most rare non-pyramidal cells are the extended neurons, which have long, straight dendrites that reach beyond the nucleus into surrounding neuropil. They are mostly in the rostral part of the basolateral nucleus but also occur in the lateral nucleus, near the ventricular border. The axons of cone cells and the extended neurons have been only partially impregnated. We also have examined stellate cells in the guinea-pig lateral and basolateral nuclei. They have many of the same features as those in the rat brain, except that their dendritic trees and axonal systems are more complicated. There are two large groups of afferents: one consists of longitudinally running axons and the other of transversely coursing fibers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Neocortical substance P neurons in the baboon: an immunohistochemical finding

Substance P-like immunoreactive (SP-LI) neurons have been demonstrated, by an avidin-biotin immunohistochemical method, in several neocortical areas in the brains of baboons. These neurons are mostly small in size, and are of many different somatic shapes, including bipolar and multipolar types. They occur in laminae III-VI but are most common in laminae V and VI. It is postulated that these neurons could contribute to previously-described cortical SP-LI fiber networks.

Temporal summation in rat prefrontal pyramidal cells. Differential effects of pre- and postsynaptic neurochemical manipulations

The influence of both reserpine-induced depletion of catecholamines and chlorpromazine-induced blockade of dopamine receptors on integrative properties of rats prefrontal pyramidal cells was studied by evocating threshold direct cortical responses with different trains of electrical pulses. Catecholamine depletion results in increased pulse train stimulating currents for eliciting threshold cortical responses, whereas chlorpromazine blockade of dopamine receptors results in higher time constants characterizing postsynaptic temporal summation. It is suggested that the leaky-integrator neuron model may be a discriminating paradigm for detecting electrophysiologically the pre- or postsynaptic level of occurrence of some synaptic disorders.

Presence of somatostatin, enkephalins, and substance P-like peptides in cultured neurons from embryonic chick cerebral hemispheres

The presence of peptides in pure cultures of neurons from 8-day-old chick embryo cerebral hemispheres has been investigated by means of specific radioimmunoassays and chromatographic purification. Somatostatin, Met-enkephalin, Leu-enkephalin, and substance P immunoreactive substances have been detected in 8-day-old cultures grown in serum-free culture medium. The peptides were present in the cellular extracts, as well as in the culture medium extracts. beta-Endorphin, thyroliberin, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, and ACTH could not be detected. The largest amount was accounted by somatostatin (48 +/- 2 ng/mg protein). Some 60% of the somatostatin-immunoreactive material was found in the culture medium. Met-enkephalin, Leu-enkephalin, and substance P were present at lower concentrations: 1.61 +/- 0.27, 0.24 +/- 0.02, and 0.14 +/- 0.005 ng/mg protein, respectively. The identities of somatostatin- and enkephalin-immunoreactive materials were confirmed by high pressure liquid chromatography. The findings suggest that cultured neurons that express dopaminergic and GABAergic properties contain peptides similar, if not identical, to somatostatin, Met-enkephalin, Leu-enkephalin, and substance P.

Effects of neuropeptides on rat cortical neurons: laminar distribution and interaction with the effect of acetylcholine

The effects of the microiontophoretic application of five different peptides (cholecystokinin octapeptide sulfated form, cholecystokinin octapeptide non-sulfated form, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, angiotensin-II and substance P) on cortical neurons were studied in rats anaesthetized with urethane. Vertical electrode penetrations were made in the first somatic sensory cortex and the laminar position of the neurons determined by the reconstruction of the tracks based on extracellular dye deposits. The first type of effect observed was an excitation of some cortical neurons. These neurons were mostly found in infragranular layers, specially in layer Vb. Pyramidal tract neurons were more often excited by peptides than the cortical population taken as a whole. Substance P excited the largest percentage of neurons, followed by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and cholecystokinin octapeptide sulfated form, whereas angiotensin II and cholecystokinin octapeptide non-sulfated form were the least potent in terms of frequency of neurons excited as well as of amplitude of the responses. The vast majority of the neurons excited by a peptide could also be excited by acetylcholine. A second and independent effect of peptides was observed: the neuronal excitation induced by acetylcholine could be depressed by the simultaneous application of peptide. This depressing effect was also the most frequently observed with substance P, followed by cholecystokinin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide.

Somatostatin release from cerebral cortical cells: influence of amino acid neurotransmitters

We examined the ability of several putative amino acid neurotransmitters to influence immunoreactive somatostatin (IRS) release from cultured rat cerebral cortical cells. The cells were exposed to either or sequential incubations in various concentrations of glutamate (Glu), aspartate (Asp), GABA, glycine, taurine and arginine. Glu and Asp were stimulatory to IRS release, whereas GABA was inhibitory. Glu-induced IRS release was calcium-dependent. Glycine and taurine were weak stimulants.

Cortical dopaminergic involvement in cocaine reinforcement

Neuronal systems involved in the initiation of cocaine reinforcement were investigated by identifying brain sites where direct application of the drug was reinforcing. This was accomplished by allowing rats to self-administer picomolar concentrations of cocaine into discrete brain regions. The medial prefrontal cortex supported self-administration, while the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area did not. Self-administration could be attenuated by including equimolar concentrations of the dopaminergic D2-receptor antagonist sulpiride in the microinjection system. These results imply that cocaine reinforcement is mediated in part through a direct action on mesocortical dopaminergic receptors.

Morphological diversity of immunocytochemically identified GABA neurons in the monkey sensory-motor cortex

GABAergic neurons have been identified in monkey sensory-motor cerebral cortex by light microscopic, immunocytochemical localization of the GABA synthesizing enzyme, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). All GAD-positive neurons are non-pyramidal cells. Their somata are present in all layers and are evenly distributed across layers II-VI of the motor cortex (area 4), but are found in greater concentrations in layers II, IV and VI of all areas of first somatic sensory cortex (SI; areas 3a, 3b and 1-2). GAD-positive puncta (putative axon terminals) are present throughout the sensory-motor cortex, and they are found immediately adjacent to the somata, dendrites and presumptive axon initial segments of GAD-negative pyramidal cells. In addition, they are observed in close approximation to the somata of both large and small GAD-positive neurons. In area 4, the density of puncta is highest in the superficial cortical layers (layers I-III) and gradually declines throughout the deeper layers. In SI, the highest densities of puncta are present in layer IV, while moderately high densities are found in layers I-III and VI. In areas 3a and 3b, the puncta in layers IV and VI are particularly numerous and form foci that exhibit greater density than adjacent regions. GAD-positive neurons with large somata, 15-33 micron in diameter, are present in layers IIIB-VI of all areas. Such cells have many primary dendrites that radiate in all directions. In addition they have axons that ascend either from the superficial aspect of the somata or from primary dendrites, and that exhibit horizontal collateral branches. These neurons closely resemble the large basket cells (Marin-Padilla, 1969; Jones, 1975), and they may give rise to many of the GAD-positive endings surrounding the somata and proximal dendrites of pyramidal cells in layers III-VI. In addition, small GAD-positive somata are present in all layers, but they are most numerous in layers II and IIIA of all areas and in layer IV of SI. The somata and proximal dendrites of these cells vary from a multipolar shape with small, beaded dendrites, found primarily in layer IV, to bitufted and multipolar shapes with larger, smooth dendrites. The diversity of somal sizes and locations, the variety of dendritic patterns, and the different distributions of GAD-positive puncta, all combine to suggest that several different morphological classes of intrinsic neurons comprise the GABA neurons of monkey cerebral cortex.

Synaptic organization of immunocytochemically identified GABA neurons in the monkey sensory-motor cortex

Neurons in the monkey somatic sensory and motor cortex were labelled immunocytochemically for the GABA synthesizing enzyme, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), and examined with the electron microscope. The somata and dendrites of many large GAD-positive neurons of layers III-VI receive numerous asymmetric synapses from unlabelled terminals and symmetric synapses from GAD-positive terminals. Comparisons with light and electron microscopic studies of Golgi-impregnated neurons suggest that the large labelled neurons are basket cells. Small GAD-positive neurons generally receive few synapses on their somata and dendrites, and probably conform to several morphological types. GAD-positive axons from symmetric synapses on many neuronal elements including the somata, dendrites and initial segments of pyramidal cells, and the somata and dendrites of non-pyramidal cells. Synapses between GAD-positive terminals and GAD-positive cell bodies and dendrites are common in all layers. Many GAD-positive terminals in layers III-VI arise from myelinated axons. Some of the axons form pericellular terminal nests on pyramidal cell somata and are interpreted as originating from basket cells while other GAD-positive myelinated axons synapse with the somata and dendrites of non-pyramidal cells. These findings suggest either that the sites of basket cell terminations are more heterogeneous than previously believed or that there are other classes of GAD-positive neurons with myelinated axons. Unmyelinated GAD-positive axons synapse with the initial segments of pyramidal cell axons or form en passant synapses with dendritic spines and small dendritic shafts and are interpreted as arising from the population of small GAD-positive neurons which appears to include several morphological types.

The neurochemistry of Alzheimer's disease and senile dementia

At this time we seem to be on the verge of opening two new fields of research on Alzheimer's disease. To treat the symptoms of this condition, an understanding of the factors regulating acetylcholine synthesis will be very important. Because of the vast amount of work on this neurotransmitter over the last 30 years, rapid progress in this area should be made. However, to truely conquer Alzheimer's disease, we need to learn what it is that attacks and apparently destroys the cholinergic neurons. While this second point may take a little more time to unravel, the work will be both exciting and very worth while.

Biochemical evidence of selective nerve cell changes in the normal ageing human and rat brain

Atrophy with ageing of human whole brain, entire temporal lobe, and caudate nucleus was assessed in autopsy specimens, by biochemical techniques. Only the caudate nucleus showed changes. Markers for several neurotransmitter systems were also examined for changes with age. In neocortex and temporal lobe of human brain, small decreases were detected in markers of cholinergic nerve terminals, whereas a large decrease (79%) occurred in the caudate nucleus. Findings were similar in striatum from 3--33-month-old rats. No change occurred in binding of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate by human samples. Markers of serotonergic terminals were also unchanged in human and rat brain. By contrast, binding of [3H]lysergic acid diethylamide and [3H]serotonin was decreased (32-81%) in human neocortex and temporal lobe, but not in caudate nucleus. A 43% loss of a marker of gamma-aminobutyrate terminals occurred in human neocortex, while [3H]muscimol binding increased (179%). No changes were detected in markers of catecholamine synapses in temporal lobe or rat striatum. Hence, with human ageing there appears to be a loss of markers of gamma-aminobutyrate neurones intrinsic to neocortex and acetylcholine cells intrinsic to the caudate nucleus, as well as a change in postsynaptic serotonin receptors in neocortex. These losses are accompanied by relative preservation of markers of ascending projections from basal forebrain and brain stem.

Hypothalamic gamma-aminobutyric acid neurons project to the neocortex

Three groups of gamma-aminobutyric acid--containing neurons were found in the mammillary region of the posterior hypothalamus. The groups correspond to the tuberal, caudal, and postmammillary caudal magnocellular nuclei. Many cells in these nuclei were retrogradely labeled with fast blue after the injection of this fluorescent dye into the neocortex. Immunohistochemical experiments showed that these same neurons also contained the gamma-aminobutyric acid-synthesizing enzyme glutamate decarboxylase. These results provide morphological evidence for a gamma-aminobutyric acid pathway arising in magnocellular neurons of the posterior hypothalamus and innervating the neocortex.

The evoked release of endogenous amino acids from tissue prisms of human neocortex

The K+-evoked release of 13 amino acids has been determined from tissue prisms of neocortex from patients of various ages, and from rats. Prisms were prepared from various regions of human neocortex obtained at neurosurgery. Upon depolarization aspartate, glutamate and gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) were shown to be preferentially released. The efflux of glutamate was calcium-dependent. Prisms prepared from human neocortex obtained shortly after death also exhibited preferential K+-induced release of putative amino acid transmitters. Absolute concentrations released into the media were similar to those found for neurosurgical samples. Comparison of the release data for rat and human samples revealed that the efflux of aspartate, glutamate and GABA occurred to a greater extent from rat brain preparations. The K+-evoked release of glutamate from human samples showed a significant linear increase from 12 to 68 years of age.

Opiate receptor localization in rat cerebral cortex

The differential distributions of [3H]naloxone-labeled and [3H]D-Ala-D-Leu-enkephalin-labeled opiate receptors in rat cerebral cortex were localized autoradiographically and quantified by grain counting and computerized densitometry. In addition, receptor distributions were compared to terminal patterns of thalamocortical projections labeled by axoplasmic transport of [3H]amino acids. Opiate receptors labeled with [3H]naloxone in a mu ligand selectivity pattern show striking laminar heterogeneity and are densest in limbic cortical areas, intermediate in the motor cortex, and fewest in the primary sensory areas. By contrast, opiate receptors labeled with [3H]D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin in a delta ligand selectivity pattern are much more homogeneously distributed across both regions and laminae within regions. Mu receptors in most cortical areas have density peaks in layers I and VI and each peak shows a density gradient that is sloped within the layer so that the highest densities are at the most superficial and the deepest portions of cortex. In addition, there is an intermediate peak whose laminar position varies depending on the area in which it is found. In rostral agranular cortex, including limbic and motor areas, the [3H]naloxone binding peaks are in layers I, III, and VI. In primary somatosensory cortex, the intermediate peak is in layer Va and in most of remaining homotypical cortex it is in layer IV. Some areas have only bilaminar labeling, in superficial and deep layers; these include portions of the sulcal and retrosplenial cortices. Piriform and entorhinal cortices have dense [3H]naloxone binding only in the deepest layer and show a descending gradient of density toward the superficial layer. The positions of the mu receptor peaks were compared with termination patterns of projections originating in the thalamus. Close correspondence was found between receptor binding in the prelimbic, primary somatosensory, and entorhinal areas and projection terminations arising from the thalamic mediodorsal, posterior, and central medial nuclei, respectively. Although regional variations in [3H]D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin-labeled receptor density are uncommon, a gradual decrease in the number of sites along the dorsomedial wall of the cortex from anterior cingulate to caudal retrosplenial limbic cortex can be observed. Laminar variations in binding density are small as well; higher concentrations of the peptide binding sites are usually found in the deep cortical layers. These findings emphasize aspects of opiate receptor architecture which may be relevant to identifying cortical "opiatergic" neurocircuitry and raise the possibility of opiate modulation of thalamocortical transmission.

Cholinergic enzymes in neocortex, hippocampus and basal forebrain of non-neurological and senile dementia of Alzheimer-type patients

Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) staining were examined in different cortical regions, hippocampal formation and basal forebrain of non-neurological controls and of patients afflicted with senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT). Both enzymes showed a clear topographical distribution in the various regions studied. In SDAT cases, ChAT activity was reduced by 0-60% in the neocortex and by up to 97% in the hippocampus depending on the area and layer examined. In the nucleus of the diagonal band of Broca (NDB) and the medial septal nucleus (MSN), the activity was decreased by 65% and 55%, respectively; no significant change was found in the lateral septal nucleus (LSN), nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM), substantia innominata (SI) and globus pallidus (GP). Comparable changes were seen in AChE staining. The results indicate that degeneration or dysfunction of cholinergic neurons in the medial septal area and possibly neocortex is an important characteristic of SDAT.

Organization and morphological characteristics of cholinergic neurons: an immunocytochemical study with a monoclonal antibody to choline acetyltransferase

Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the acetylcholine (ACh) synthesizing enzyme, has been localized immunocytochemically with a monoclonal antibody in light and electron microscopic preparations of rat central nervous system (CNS). The antibody was an IgG1 subclass immunoglobulin that removed ChAT activity from solution. The specificity of the antibody and immunocytochemical methods has been confirmed by the demonstration of ChAT-positive neurons in a number of well-characterized cholinergic systems. For example, ChAT-positive reaction product was present in the cell bodies of spinal and cranial nerve motoneurons, as well as in their axons and terminations as motor end-plates in skeletal muscle. In addition, the somata of preganglionic sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons were ChAT-positive. The specificity of staining was further supported by a lack of reaction product in several groups of neurons thought to use neuroactive substances other than acetylcholine. No specific staining was observed in control specimens. The findings indicated that ChAT had an extensive intraneuronal distribution in many cholinergic neurons, being present in cell bodies, dendrites, axons and axon terminals. ChAT-positive somata were found in the medial septum and diagonal band, the medial habenula, and the basal nucleus of, the forebrain, 3 regions that are sources of cholinergic afferents to the hippocampus, interpeduncular nucleus and cerebral cortex, respectively. In addition, positively stained cell bodies were present within the cerebral cortex. ChAT-positive punctate structures were observed in the ventral horn of the spinal cord, where electron microscopic studies demonstrated that some of these structures were synaptic terminals. Other regions containing numerous ChAT-positive puncta included the hippocampus, the interpeduncular nucleus and the cerebral cortex. The light microscopic appearance of these putative cholinergic terminals varied among different brain regions. Large punctate structures related to well-defined post-synaptic elements were characteristic of some regions, such as the ventral horn of the spinal cord, while smaller punctate structures and varicose fibers with a diffuse pattern of organization distinguished other regions, such as the cerebral cortex.

Amino acid release from biopsy samples of temporal neocortex from patients with Alzheimer's disease

Tissue prisms prepared from neurosurgical samples of temporal neocortex of Alzheimer and control patients, upon depolarization preferentially released aspartate, glutamate and gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA). The Alzheimer and control samples did not significantly differ in the pattern of amino acid release, although acetylcholine synthesis by the Alzheimer tissue prisms was greatly reduced. There was no correlation between the efflux of any amino and acetylcholine synthesis. These observations suggest that in Alzheimer's disease there are no major changes in the extracellular concentrations of these putative amino acid transmitters.

Immunocytochemical localization on neuropeptides in the fornix of rat, monkey and man

Using specific antisera and immunocytochemical methods VIP, CCK, substance P, methionine-enkephalin, neurotensin and somatostatin-like immunoreactive fibers were found within the fornix and fimbria in 3 species (rat, monkey and human). Neither methionine-enkephalin- nor substance P-containing cell bodies were located within the hippocampus and so fibers containing these peptides are presumably hippocampal afferents, probably arising in the septum or caudal hypothalamus. VIP, CCK, neurotensin and somatostatin fibers may be hippocampal efferents arising from cell bodies within the subiculum.