Afferent connections of the caudal raphe pallidus nucleus in rats: a study using the fluorescent retrograde tracers fluorogold and true-blue.
Afferent connections to the caudal region of the nucleus raphe pallidus (RPa) in rats were studied using fluorogold and true-blue as tracers. Due to its ability to produce limited injection sites, true-blue proved to be more appropriate than fluorogold for studying long distance connections in a narrow structure such as the RPa. Fluorescent, retrogradely-labeled perikarya were found in the preoptic area (median, medial and lateral nuclei), hypothalamus (anterior, dorsal, lateral and posterior areas, and the peri- and paraventricular nuclei), zona incerta, central gray (dorsal, ventral and ventro-lateral), reticular formation of the brainstem, trigeminal spinal nuclei and in the spinal cord (laminae V-X at thoracic, lumbar and sacral levels). This connection pattern suggests the involvement of the RPa in autonomic, somatic and endocrine functions.
Nogueira
M I
MI
Department of Anatomy, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil.
de Rezende
B D
BD
do Vale
L E
LE
Bittencourt
J C
JC
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001370:Axonal Transport; D001572:Benzofurans; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011301:Preoptic Area / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D011903:Raphe Nuclei / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D013266:Stilbamidines
C049774:2-hydroxy-4,4'-diamidinostilbene, methanesulfonate salt; D001572:Benzofurans; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D013266:Stilbamidines; C038675:true blue