Reticulo-facial enkephalinergic pathway in the rat: an experimental immunohistochemical study.
Enkephalins have been detected in the cranial motor nuclei and may play a role in the motor system. The afferent source of leucine-enkephalin-like immunoreactive fibers in the facial nucleus was investigated using experimental immunohistochemistry. These leucine-enkephalin-containing fibers were markedly reduced on the operated side after the destruction of the ventrolateral part of the caudal medullary reticular formation, where a number of leucine-enkephalin-positive cell bodies were observed. This fact strongly suggests that these leucine-enkephalin-positive cells project ipsilaterally to the facial nucleus and so could have some effects on facial motoneurons.
D000818:Animals; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000032:analysis / Q000166:cytology; D004743:Enkephalin, Leucine / Q000032:analysis; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000502:physiology*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase; D008297:Male; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000032:analysis; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D012154:Reticular Formation / Q000502:physiology*
D004745:Enkephalins; D004743:Enkephalin, Leucine; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase