Urocortin 1-containing neurons in the human Edinger-Westphal nucleus.
The topographical location of neurons containing urocortin 1, a peptide related to corticotropin-releasing factor was investigated in human postmortem brain by immunohistochemistry, and compared with the location of neurons containing choline acetyltransferase, a marker for cholinergic cells. A three-dimensional computer reconstruction of the urocortin 1 and choline acetyltransferase-positive population of neurons within the oculomotor area was made. It was shown that the urocortin 1-positive neurons are located within the area identified as the Edinger-Westphal nucleus according to the human brain stem atlas, and that the neurons identified as Edinger-Westphal nucleus in the atlas are not choline acetyltransferase-positive. This finding agrees with recent animal studies showing that urocortin 1-positive neurons are not identical with the parasympathetic cholinergic neurons projecting to the ciliary ganglion. They indicate that the neurons identified as Edinger-Westphal nucleus in the human brain stem atlas belong to the non-preganglionic Edinger-Westphal nucleus, whereas the location of preganglionic Edinger-Westphal nucleus remains unidentified.
Ryabinin
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Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, 97239, USA. ryabinin@ohsu.edu
Tsivkovskaia
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Ryabinin
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D054832:Urocortins
D054832:Urocortins; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase