Synaptology of three peptidergic neuron types in the central nucleus of the rat amygdala.
The synaptology of neurotensin (NT)-, somatostatin (SS)- and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-immunoreactive neurons was studied in the central nucleus of the rat amygdala (CNA). Three types of axon terminals formed synaptic contacts with peptide-immunoreactive neurons in the CNA: Type A terminals containing many round or oval vesicles; Type B terminals containing many pleomorphic vesicles; and Type C terminals containing fewer, pleomorphic vesicles. Peptide-immunoreactive terminals were type A. All three types of terminals formed symmetrical axosomatic and asymmetrical axodendritic contacts. However, type B and peptide-immunoreactive terminals frequently formed symmetrical axodendritic synaptic contacts. VIP-immunoreactive terminals also formed asymmetrical axodendritic contacts. SS- and NT-immunoreactive terminals commonly formed symmetrical contacts on SS- and NT-immunoreactive cell bodies, respectively. VIP-immunoreactive axon terminals were postsynaptic to nonreactive terminals. Type B terminals appeared more frequently on VIP neurons than on NT or SS neurons.
D000679:Amygdala / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones / Q000032:analysis*; D009474:Neurons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000032:analysis*; D013569:Synapses / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis*
D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D009496:Neurotensin; D013004:Somatostatin