下丘脑弓状核内GABA神经元与P物质神经元相互关系的免疫电镜双标研究

为了探讨下丘脑神经内分泌功能的突触调控机制和Ｐ物质（ＳＰ）神经元与γ－氨基丁酸（ＧＡＢＡ）神经元之间的相互关系，我们用包埋前免疫电镜ＰＡＰ双标技术，研究了大鼠弓状核内ＳＰ和ＧＡＢＡ神经元的超微结构分布。先以ＤＡＢ为呈色剂显示ＳＰ的免疫反应，然后用钢酸铵－ＴＭＢ法显示ＧＡＢＡ免疫反应，再经ＤＡＢ－氧化钴稳定后作免疫电镜研究。结果观察到，在弓状核内有大量含ＤＡＢ和ＴＭＢ免疫反应产物的神经元结构，ＤＡＢ反应产物为颗粒状或絮状沉淀，电子密度高，弥漫分布；ＴＭＢ反应产物呈针状或块状，散在分布。含ＤＡＢ免疫反应的结构有ＳＰ神经元的胞体、树突和轴突。含ＴＭＢ免疫反应的结构有ＧＡＢＡ神经元的胞体、树突和轴突。两种神经元均为中、小型细胞，在弓状核内混杂分布。含ＳＰ的轴突接受免疫反应阴性轴突的非对称性突触连接；含ＳＰ的树突与含ＧＡＢＡ的轴突形成对称性的轴一树突触。含ＧＡＢＡ的树突接受免疫反应用性轴突的非对称性突触连接，也接受含ＳＰ轴突的非对称性突触连接。本研究不仅在超微水平进一步证实了大鼠弓状核内存在着ＳＰ和ＧＡＢＡ神经元及其末梢，而且首次在形态学上为下丘脑氨基酸能神经元与肽能神经元之间的相互调控提供了超微结构依据。     

大鼠海马内谷氨酸神经元与GABA神经元之间突触联系的免疫电镜双标研究

为了探讨神经递质在癫痫发病机理中的作用，用包埋前免疫电镜双标法研究了正常太鼠海马ＣＡ１区谷氨酸（Ｇｌｕ）神经元与ＧＡＢＡ神经元之间的突触联系，先用ＤＡＢ为呈色剂显示ＧＡ－ＢＡ免疫反应，然后以钼酸铵－ＴＭＢ法显示Ｇｌｕ免疫反应，再进行免疫电镜包埋。观察发现，在海马ＣＡ１区锥体细胞层有许多Ｇｌｕ免疫反应性神经元；在锥体细胞层，多形层和辐状层可见一些ＧＡＢＡ免疫反应性神经元，胞体为锥体或多角形。在多形层     

大鼠脊髓背角的GABA能神经末梢来源及其突触联系──HRP追踪与免疫细胞化学结合法研究及免疫电镜观察

本文用ＨＲＰ追踪与免疫细胞化学结合法和免疫电镜技术研究了脊髓背角的ＧＡＢＡ神经元的分布、ＧＡＢＡ能末梢的来源及其超微结构联系。结果表明：在脊髓背角Ⅰ～Ⅵ层内均有ＧＡＢＡ神经元胞体和纤维分布，其中Ⅰ～Ⅲ层较为密集，在后外侧束内也存在ＧＡＢＡ能纤维及胞体。脊髓背角的ＧＡＢＡ能神经末梢有３个来源：①延髓的大缝核、隐缝核、苍白缝核及腹侧网状结构的ＧＡＢＡ能神经元；②脊髓固有的ＧＡＢＡ能神经元；③脊神经节的ＧＡＢＡ能神经元。ＧＡＢＡ能末梢可作为突触前成分或突触后成分与未标记末梢形成轴－树突触，也可同时作为突触前、后成分而形成轴－树型自调节突触。结果提示突触前的ＧＡＢＡ能末梢可能对脊髓背角内的其它神经元起抑制和脱抑制作用；同时背角内ＧＡＢＡ能神经元还接受其它神经元的调控。     

大白鼠脊髓前角内含γ—氨基丁酸神经元的化学神经解剖学研究

用ＨＲＰ与免疫细胞化学结合法和免疫电镜方法观察了大白鼠脊髓Ｌ４～５节段内前角含γ－氨基丁酸（ＧＡＢＡ）神经元的分布及其与躯体传出的关系。光镜下，在脊髓前角各层，包括位于前角的前外侧部的Ｒｅｘｅｄ ＩＸ层，均有ＧＡＢＡ免疫反应阳性神经元胞体和梢分布。ＧＡＢＡ阳性胞体为圆形或三角形，具有多个突起，可分大、中两型。电镜下，ＧＡＢＡ样免疫反应产物呈细小颗粒状沉淀，分布于核周质、树突和轴突内。在轴突末梢，免     

大鼠腰骶髓后连合核内P物质受体阳性神经元与GABA能轴突终末…

用包埋前免疫组织化学方法结合包埋后免疫金电镜技术，研究了大鼠腰骶后连合核内Ｐ物质受体（ＳＰＲ）免疫反应神经元与ＧＡＢＡ能科末的突触联系。ＳＰＲ免疫反应产物主要分布于神经元胞体和树突的细胞膜下，双重标记电镜结果表明，约有４６％的ＳＰＲ阳性树突和胞体与ＧＡＢＡ能终末形成对称性突触。其中绝大部分为轴树突触，个别为轴体突触。本研究结果提示，大鼠腰骶髓后连合核ＳＰＲ阳性神经元可能授ＧＡＢＡ有终末的调控。     

大鼠腰骶髓后连合核内P物质受体阳性神经元与GABA能轴突终末的突触联系

用包埋前免疫组织化学方法结合包埋后免疫金电镜技术，研究了大鼠腰骶髓后连合核内Ｐ物质受体（ＳＰＲ）免疫反应神经元与ＧＡＢＡ能终末的突触联系。ＳＰＲ免疫反应产物主要分布于神经元胞体和树突的胞膜下。双重标记电镜结果表明，约有４６％的ＳＰＲ阳性树突和胞体与ＧＡＢＡ能终末形成对称性突触。其中绝大部分为轴树突触，个别为轴体突触。本研究结果提示，大鼠腰骶髓后连合核ＳＰＲ阳性神经元可能接受ＧＡＢＡ能终末的调控。     

老年学习记忆减退大鼠海马GABA能神经元树突内线粒体的变化

为进一步探讨ＧＡＢＡ 能神经元与老年学习记忆减退的关系，本研究以老年学习记忆减退大鼠为模型，用免疫电镜结合体视学方法观察了老年学习记忆减退大鼠海马ＣＡ１ 区放射 分子层的ＧＡＢＡ 能神经元树突内线粒体的改变。结果显示，线粒体的面数密度在老年学习记忆损害组明显小于青年组和老年正常组（Ｐ＜ ０．０１）；体密度的绝对值有所减少，但无统计学意义（Ｐ＞０．０５）。此外，衰老时较小的树突内线粒体的密度增大，老年学习记忆正常组小直径树突内线粒体面数密度的增加较老年学习记忆损害组更明显。结果提示，衰老过程中，ＧＡＢＡ 阳性树突内线粒体的数目减少，单个线粒体的体积代偿性增大。老年学习记忆减退时，树突结构和功能的内源性代偿能力下降，可能处于一种失代偿状态。     

正中隆起内NT能神经元的SP能神经支配的免疫电镜双标研究

应用包埋前免疫电镜PAP双标技术,对大鼠下丘脑正中隆起内的神经紧张素(neurotensin,NT)和P物质(substance P,SP)的分布进行了超微结构研究。先用DAB法显示SP免疫反应,然后用钼酸-TMB法显示NT免疫反应,再经DAB-氯化钴稳定后作免疫电镜包埋。电镜观察发现:在正中隆起内SP免疫反应呈电子密度高的颗粒状或絮状沉淀,广泛分布于轴突内的小清亮囊泡周围和基质内;NT免疫反应产物则为电子密度高的针状或块状,散在分布于胞体、树突和轴突内。含SP的轴突可接受免疫反应阴性轴突的传入性突触,也可与阴性树突形成传出性轴-树突触;含NT的树突和胞体均可接受阴性轴突的传入性突触。此外,SP阳性轴突末梢还可与NT阳性神经元的树突棘形成对称性轴-棘突触及与NT阳性轴突形成对称性轴-轴突触。实验结果表明:大鼠正中隆起内的NT能神经元接受SP能神经的支配,为下丘脑神经内分泌的突触调控提供了新的超微结构依据。     

脑缺血时大鼠海马及其生长抑素神经元的超微结构改变

夹闭大鼠双侧颈总动脉２ｈ，对海马ＣＡ１区进行免疫电镜观察，可见实验组ＣＡ１区部分锥体细胞的胞核固缩、核染色质溶解、细胞器减少或消失；部分神经纤维的髓鞘显示轻度变性图像；部分神经末梢变性；星形胶质细胞突起肿胀；小胶质细胞活跃并包裹断离的髓鞘；生长抑素免疫反应阳性神经末梢比对照组显著增多，生长抑素阳性轴突可与阴性树突形成轴－树突触。以上结果提示：缺血可导致海马ＣＡ１区神经元发生不同程度的损伤和胶质细胞     

大鼠神经垂体内后叶加压素神经分泌末梢的GABA能神经支配的免疫电镜证实

为了探讨神经垂体内后叶加压素（ＶＰ）释放的γ－氨基丁酸（ＧＡＢＡ）能神经调控，本研究用包埋前ＡＢＣ法结合免疫电镜双标技术，研究了大鼠神经垂体内ＶＰ能神经和ＧＡＢＡ能神经的超微结构分布及其相互联系。先用ＤＡＢ法显示ＧＡＢＡ免疫反应，然后用钼酸铵－ＴＭＢ法显示ＶＰ免疫反应，再用ＤＡＢ－氯化钴稳定后作免疫电镜包埋。电镜观察发现：在神经垂体内ＧＡＢＡ样免疫反应产物呈电子密度高的颗粒状沉淀，定位于神经末梢内的小清亮羹泡周围和线粒体膜上；ＶＰ样免疫反应产物呈电子密度高的不规则形块状或针状散在于神经分泌末梢内。ＧＡＢＡ样神经末梢分布于神经分泌末梢之间或紧贴毛细血管和垂体细胞，可与神经分泌末梢紧密接触甚至形成突触。ＶＰ样神经分泌末梢内含小透亮囊泡和大颗粒囊泡，并可与ＧＡＢＡ样轴突末梢形成突触。在这种情况下，ＧＡＢＡ样轴突为突触前成分，突触前、后膜呈对称性，突触间隙宽度小于２０ｎｍ，内含电子致密物质。以上结果证实，在大鼠神经垂体内ＶＰ释放受到ＧＡＢＡ神经的直接突触调控。     

Alterations in excitatory and GABAergic inhibitory connections in hippocampal transplants

Solid pieces of embryonic hippocampal tissue were implanted in a cavity formed by aspiration of the fimbria-fornix and the overlying cingulate cortex in adult rats. Six to 8 months after the transplantation, chronic recording electrodes were implanted into the graft and the host hippocampi for the recording of electroencephalogram and unit activity in the freely moving animal. Irregularly occurring sharp waves or electroencephalogram spikes and concurrent synchronous discharge of large groups of neurons dominated the electrical activity of the grafts, in contrast to the situation in normal animals. Light microscopy and GABA immunocytochemistry in the grafts revealed that the three major cell types of the hippocampal formation, i.e. pyramidal neurons, dentate granule cells and GABA-immunoreactive interneurons were present in the hippocampal grafts. At the ultrastructural level, however, significant alterations in connectivity were observed. The most striking finding was the absence or sparse occurrence of synapses on the axon initial segments of pyramidal neurons. The axon initial segments are normally densely covered by GABAergic synapses derived from a specialized type of interneuron, the chandelier or axo-axonic cell. On the other hand, numerous GABA-immunoreactive terminals were found in synaptic contact with somata of pyramidal neurons, suggesting that other types of GABAergic interneurons and their efferent connections may have developed in a normal manner. The cell bodies of pyramidal neurons received, in addition, several asymmetric synapses from GABA-negative terminals. These presumably excitatory synapses are not present on the somata of pyramidal cells in the normally developing hippocampus. We hypothesize that the somatic excitatory synapses originate, at least in part, from the axon collaterals of the neighbouring pyramidal cells in the graft. We suggest that the hyperexcitability of the neuronal circuitry within the graft is due to reduced inhibition (lack of axo-axonic synapses) coupled with increased collateral excitation of the pyramidal neurons.     

Ultrastructural characterization of relationship between serotonergic and GABAergic structures in the ventral part of the oral pontine reticular nucleus

The ventral part of the oral pontine reticular nucleus (vRPO) is involved in the generation and maintenance of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Both GABAergic and serotonergic neurotransmission have been implicated in the control of the sleep–wakefulness cycle. Nevertheless, the synaptic organization of serotonergic terminals in the vRPO has not yet been characterized. We performed an electron microscope study of serotonin-immunoreactive (5-HT-IR) terminals using immunoperoxidase or immunogold–silver methods. In a second set of experiments, combining GABA immunoperoxidase and 5-HT immunogold–silver techniques, we examined inputs from GABA-immunoreactive (GABA-IR) terminals to serotonergic neurons. 5-HT-IR terminals were located primarily on dendrites and occasionally on somata of unlabeled and 5-HT-IR neurons. The majority of the synapses formed by 5-HT-IR terminals were of the symmetrical type, making contacts primarily with unlabeled dendritic profiles. Moreover, 5-HT-IR terminals contacted unlabeled axon terminals that formed asymmetric synapses on dendrites. Double immunolabeling experiments showed 5-HT-IR and GABA-IR afferents, in apposition to each other, making synapses with the same dendrites. Finally, GABA-IR terminals innervated 5-HT-IR and GABA-IR dendrites. Our findings indicate that serotonin would modulate the neuronal activity through inhibitory or excitatory influences, although the action of serotonin on the vRPO would predominantly be inhibitory. Moreover, the present results suggest that the serotonin modulation of vRPO neurons might involve indirect connections. In addition, GABA might contribute to the induction and maintenance of REM sleep by inhibiting serotonergic and GABAergic neurons in the vRPO.     

Ultrastructure and immunocytochemical distribution of GABA in layer III of the rat medial entorhinal cortex following aminooxyacetic acid-induced seizures

 Layer III of the entorhinal cortex (EC) is lesioned in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). A similar neuropathology is also present in different animal models of TLE. For example, injection of the ”indirect” excitotoxin aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA) into the EC of rats causes behavioral seizures and preferential loss of neurons in layer III of the medial EC. The animals also develop hyperexcitability of the EC and the hippocampal region CA1. To further explore the neuropathological changes within the EC, the ultrastructure and distribution of GABA-like immunoreactivity were assessed in layer III, 28 days after an intraentorhinal AOAA injection. At this time point, light microscopic preparations revealed that a large proportion of pyramidal (putative excitatory) neurons in layer III of the medial EC had degenerated, whereas GABA-immunoreactive neurons had survived. In immunogold-labeled ultrathin sections, the lesioned neuropil was found to contain morphologically intact GABA-containing neurons and nerve terminals. Pathologically swollen dendrites and electron-dense neuronal profiles were present in the lesioned sector as well. The majority of the electron-dense profiles was identified as degenerating dendritic spines that were closely apposed to strongly glutamate-immunopositive axon terminals. Thus, the entorhinal chemoarchitecture is dramatically altered following an episode of AOAA-induced epileptic seizures. One possible consequence of this pathology is a reduced ”drive” of the surviving layer III GABA neurons, which in turn may cause hyperexcitability of the EC and the hippocampus. These findings may be of relevance for the genesis and spread of temporal lobe seizures. Received: 8 September 1998 / Accepted: 1 December 1998     

Synaptic targets of calretinin-containing axon terminals in macaque monkey prefrontal cortex

The coordinated activity of specific populations of pyramidal cells and GABA-containing, local circuit neurons in the primate prefrontal cortex (PFC) appears to be critical for working memory. Different subclasses of GABA-containing neurons can be distinguished by their content of the calcium-binding proteins parvalbumin (PV) and calretinin (CR). The postsynaptic targets of PV-containing cells have been well characterized in the primate PFC, but the postsynaptic targets of CR-containing neurons in this cortical region remain unknown. In the present study, we used immuno-electron microscopy to examine the synaptic type and postsynaptic targets of CR-immunoreactive (IR) axon terminals in the superficial and deep layers of macaque monkey PFC. Labeled axon terminals formed both symmetric and asymmetric synapses. Within the superficial layers, 93% of the synapses formed by CR-IR were symmetric, whereas in the deep layers the labeled axon terminals forming synapses were more evenly divided between symmetric (57%) and asymmetric (43%). The primary postsynaptic target of these two populations of CR-IR axon terminals also differed; unlabeled dendritic shafts were the predominant target of the symmetric synapses, whereas dendritic spines were the most common target of the asymmetric synapses. In addition, the mean cross-sectional area of the terminals forming asymmetric synapses was significantly larger than that of the terminals forming symmetric synapses. The presence of CR-IR asymmetric synapses suggested that they might arise from neurons that do not utilize GABA; indeed, dual-label fluorescent immunocytochemistry revealed that a subpopulation (23%) of CR-containing neurons in monkey PFC were not GABA-IR. These findings indicate that the synaptology of CR-containing neurons is more heterogeneous than that of PV-containing cells and suggests that the contributions of CR-containing neurons to cognitive processes mediated by the PFC may be more diverse.     

Synaptology of the rostral reticular thalamic nucleus of absence epileptic WAG/Rij rats

The adult WAG/Rij rat is a well-established animal model for human absence epilepsy characterized by the presence of spike-wave discharges (SWDs). The pacemaking activity of the rostral reticular thalamic nucleus (rRTN) has been demonstrated to be essential for SWD maintenance. We investigated if SWD maintenance can be related to the synaptic organization of the rRTN, by studying the ultrastructure of the rRTN of absence epileptic WAG/Rij rats in comparison with that of non-epileptic, age-matched ACI control rats. In WAG/Rij rats, D-, L- and F-type terminals constitute the synaptic organization of the rRTN. D-type synapses, especially axo-dendritic ones, occur frequently. L- and F-type terminals are common but less frequent than D-type terminals. Semi-quantitative observations indicate that all terminal types are present on different parts of the postsynaptic neuron, but in different numbers: they are frequent on dendrites, common on somata and axons, and occur occasionally on dendritic spines. In addition, occasionally an F-type terminal was observed on the axon hillock. The three terminal types are also involved in multiple synaptic configurations, convergent as well as divergent, with dendrites, somata, axon hillocks and axons as postsynaptic structures. Convergent synaptic configurations outnumber divergent ones. The synaptic organization of the rRTN of the non-epileptic ACI rat appears to be very similar to that of the epileptic WAG/Rij rat. This indicates that SWD maintenance in the WAG/Rij rat does not depend on a different synaptic organization of the rRTN.     

A golgi and a combined Golgi/GABA immunogold study of local circuit neurons in the homing pigeon hippocampus

Three types of local circuit neurons have recently been reported in the homing pigeon hippocampus. The principal type appears to be constituted by the medium-sized angular or ovoid local circuit neurons that occur in all layers of the hippocampus. The current Golgi study has revealed that these neurons can be classified according to their axonal arborisation extension: (1) in all directions, (2) principally medio-laterally, or (3) dorso-ventrally. The local circuit neurons with dorso-ventral axon arborisation are present only in the subpyramidal layer. Serial sections of a Golgi-impregnated medium-sized, multiangular local circuit neuron in the pyramidal layer and a small, ovoid neuron in the suprapyramidal layer were investigated in the electron microscope. Some of these sections were processed for GABA immunogold cytochemistry. The soma and large dendrites of both neurons displayed GABA immunogold labelling. On the soma of medium-sized local circuit neuron there were numerous terminals; on the soma of the small one relatively fewer terminals were observed. The terminals contained round and/or flat synaptic vesicles. The long axonal branches of the neurons exhibited varicosities containing flattened or pleomorphic vesicles. Axo-dendritic, axo-somatic and a few axo-axonic synapses were observed. The large dense axon arborisation field of medium-sized local circuit neurons is properly situated to modulate intrinsic hippocampal activity and that of the small local circuit neurons is well situated to modulate the hippocampal input in the suprapyramidal layer.     

Preservation of perisomatic inhibitory input of granule cells in the epileptic human dentate gyrus.

Temporal lobe epilepsy is known to be associated with hyperactivity that is likely to be generated or amplified in the hippocampal formation. The majority of granule cells, the principal cells of the dentate gyrus, are found to be resistant to damage in epilepsy, and may serve as generators of seizures if their inhibition is impaired. Therefore, the parvalbumin-containing subset of interneurons, known to provide the most powerful inhibitory input to granule cell somata and axon initial segments, were examined in human control and epileptic dentate gyrus. A strong reduction in the number of parvalbumin-containing cells was found in the epileptic samples especially in the hilar region, although in some patches of the granule cell layer parvalbumin-positive terminals that form vertical clusters characteristic of axo-axonic cells were more numerous than in controls. Analysis of the postsynaptic target elements of parvalbumin-positive axon terminals showed that they form symmetric synapses with somata, dendrites, axon initial segments and spines as in the control, but the ratio of axon initial segment synapses was increased in the epileptic tissue (control: 15.9%, epileptic: 31.3%). Furthermore, the synaptic coverage of granule cell axon initial segments increased more than three times (control: 0.52, epileptic: 2.10 microm synaptic length/100 microm axon initial segment membrane) in the epileptic samples, whereas the amount of somatic symmetric synapses did not change significantly. Although the number of parvalbumin-positive interneurons is decreased, the perisomatic inhibitory input of dentate granule cells is preserved in temporal lobe epilepsy. Basket and axo-axonic cell terminals - whether positive or negative for parvalbumin - are present, moreover, the axon collaterals targeting axon initial segments sprout in the epileptic dentate gyrus.We suggest that perisomatic inhibitory interneurons survive in epilepsy, but their somadendritic compartment and partly the axon loses parvalbumin or immunoreactivity for parvalbumin. The hyperinnervation of axon initial segments might be a compensatory change in the inhibitory network, but at the same time may lead to a more effective synchronization of granule cell firing that could contribute to the generation or amplification of epileptic seizures.     

Electron microscopic data on the neurons of nuclei subpretectalis and posterior-ventralis thalami. A combined immunohistochemical study

 The nucleus rotundus receives GABA-like immunoreactive fibres from the nuclei subpretectalis and postero-ventralis thalami. This result was confirmed by Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PhA-L) anterograde tracer and with electron microscopic (EM) γ-aminobutiric acid (GABA)-immunogold staining. The detailed electron microscopic analysis of the structure of the neurons in these nuclei revealed that the neurons in the nucleus subpretectalis displayed GABA-like immunoreactivity. In the postero-ventral thalamic nucleus a group of neurons was GABA-positive. The surface of the neurons was covered both with numerous GABA-negative and GABA-like immunoreactive terminals that established asymmetrical and symmetrical synapses, respectively, with the GABA-positive neurons. The GABA-like immunonegative terminals are supposed to be the axon terminals of the collaterals of tecto-rotundal fibres in the subpretectal nucleus and the collateral terminal branches of contralateral tecto-rotundal fibres in the postero-ventralis thalami. In both nuclei, the GABA-like immunoreactive terminals may be developed by the collaterals of local neurons that establish symmetrical synapses. In the Phaseolus lectin-stained preparations these terminals may be labelled. The morphological characteristics of the neurons in the subpretectal and partly, in the postero-ventral nuclei are similar to those of interneurons (local circuit neurons) and the numerous asymmetrical and symmetrical axo-somatic synapses, respectively. But these neurons locate outside of their target nucleus, and exert their modulatory effect on rotundo-ectostriatal transmission. Also, a contralateral influence is present in the nucleus rotundus that may interact in the cooperation of the eyes. The neurons of the subpretectal and postero-ventral nuclei, similarly to the neurons of isthmic nuclei, are a special group of modulatory neurons with effects at a distance. Accepted: 28 July 1998     

Quantitative ultrastructural differences between local and medial septal GABAergic axon terminals in the rat hippocampus

Functionally distinct subsets of hippocampal inhibitory neurons exhibit large differences in the frequency, pattern and short-term plasticity of GABA release from their terminals. Heterogeneity is also evident in the ultrastructural features of GABAergic axon terminals examined in the electron microscope, but it is not known if or how this corresponds to interneuron subtypes. We investigated the feasibility of separating morphologically distinct clusters of terminal types, using the approach of measuring several ultrastructural parameters of GABAergic terminals in the CA1 area of the rat hippocampus. Septo-hippocampal axon terminals were anterogradely labeled by biotinylated dextran amine and visualized by pre-embedding immunogold staining to delineate one homogeneous terminal population. Long series (100-150) of ultrathin sections were cut from stratum oriens and stratum radiatum of the CA1 area, and GABAergic terminals were identified by post-embedding immunogold staining. Stereologically unbiased samples of the total GABAergic axon terminal population and a random sample of the septal axon terminals were reconstructed in 3D, and several of their parameters were measured (e.g. bouton volume, synapse surface, volume occupied by vesicles, mitochondria volume). Septal terminals demonstrated significantly larger mean values for most parameters than the total population of local GABAergic terminals. There was no significant difference between terminals reconstructed in the basal and apical dendritic regions of pyramidal cells, neither for the septal nor for the local population. Importantly, almost all parameters were highly correlated, precluding the possibility of clustering the local terminals into non-overlapping subsets. Factor and cluster analysis confirmed these findings. Our results suggest that similarly to excitatory terminals, inhibitory terminals follow an "ultrastructural size principle," and that the terminals of different interneuron subtypes cannot be distinguished by ultrastructure alone.