Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2006):

Synaptologic and fine structural features distinguishing a subset of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons embedded in the dense intrinsic fiber network of the caudal extended amygdala.

Full Abstract

Cholinergic basal forebrain neurons confined within the intrinsic connections of the extended amygdala in the caudal sublenticular region and anterior amygdaloid area (cSLR/AAA) differ from other basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in several morphological and neurochemical respects. These cSLR/AAA cholinergic neurons have been subjected to additional investigations described in this report. First, fibers traced anterogradely following injections of Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin in the central amygdaloid nucleus were shown to contact cSLR/AAA cholinergic neurons and dendrites. Second, these neurons were shown to be contacted by numerous GABAergic boutons with symmetric synaptic specializations. Third, the numbers of synaptic densities of morphologically characterized symmetric contacts on the somata and proximal dendrites of cSLR/AAA cholinergic neurons were shown to significantly exceed those of extra-cSLR/AAA cholinergic neurons. Fourth, fine structural features distinguishing cSLR/AAA cholinergic neurons from other basal forebrain cholinergic neurons were revealed. Specifically, cSLR/AAA cholinergic neurons have less abundant cytoplasm and a less well-organized system of rough endoplasmic reticulum than their counterparts in other parts of the basal forebrain. Thus, morphologically and neurochemically distinct cSLR/AAA cholinergic neurons exhibit robust proximal inhibitory inputs, of which a significant number originate in the extended amygdala, while cholinergic neurons outside this region lack a substrate for strong proximal inhibitory input. The implications of these findings for interaction of fear, anxiety, and attention are considered.

Learn Faster Today      Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Loopuijt, Louise D (LD); Zahm, Daniel S (DS);

Affiliation: Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63104, USA.

Grants: NS-23805 (Agency:NINDS NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: The Journal of comparative neurology (J Comp Neurol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Sep; vol 498 (issue 1) : pp 93-111

Dates: Created 2006/08/28; Completed 2006/10/03; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 16933208, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Acetylcholine - metabolism Amygdala - metabolism; ultrastructure Animals Axons - metabolism; ultrastructure Basal Nucleus of Meynert - metabolism; ultrastructure Choline O-Acetyltransferase - metabolism Dendrites - metabolism; ultrastructure Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough - metabolism; ultrastructure Glutamate Decarboxylase - metabolism Immunohistochemistry Isoenzymes - metabolism Male

Male Microscopy, Electron, Transmission Neural Inhibition - physiology Neural Pathways - metabolism; ultrastructure Phytohemagglutinins Presynaptic Terminals - metabolism; ultrastructure Rats Rats, Sprague-Dawley Substantia Innominata - metabolism; ultrastructure Synapses - metabolism; ultrastructure Synaptic Transmission - physiology gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - biosynthesis

Associated Chemicals: Isoenzymes (0) ; Phytohemagglutinins (0) ; leukoagglutinins, plants (0) ; Acetylcholine (51-84-3) ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (56-12-2) ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.6) ; Glutamate Decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.15) ; glutamate decarboxylase 1 (EC 4.1.1.15)

Related articles

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

• Synapses on GABAergic neurons in the basolateral nucleus of the rat amygdala: double-labeling immunoelectron microscopy. 30 Dec 2001
• Evidence for a GABAergic interface between cortical afferents and brainstem projection neurons in the rat central extended amygdala. 30 Jan 1994
• Group II metabotropic glutamate receptors in anxiety circuitry: correspondence of physiological response and subcellular distribution. 18 Dec 2007
• A disynaptic pathway from the central amygdaloid nucleus to the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus via the parastrial nucleus in the rat. 20 Aug 2007
• Relationship between zinc and neurotransmitters released into the amygdalar extracellular space. 15 May 2002
• Evidence for low GluR2 AMPA receptor subunit expression at synapses in the rat basolateral amygdala. 23 Jul 2005
• Coupled networks of parvalbumin-immunoreactive interneurons in the rat basolateral amygdala. 8 Aug 2005
• Cholinergic neurons of the nucleus basalis of Meynert receive cholinergic, catecholaminergic and GABAergic synapses: an electron microscopic investigation in the monkey. 30 Dec 1998
• Postsynaptic targets of somatostatin-containing interneurons in the rat basolateral amygdala. 18 Jan 2007
• An immunohistochemical study on a unique colocalization relationship between substance P and GABA in the central nucleus of amygdala. 2008

See 100+ related articles.

Related Article Map

Legend: - FREE Full text Article. - Abstract only. - Title only. More help.

See a large map of 100+ related articles.