大鼠杏仁体基底外侧核中DA能与GABA能神经元之间突触关系的免疫电镜研究

目的 了解杏仁体中多巴胺(DA)能神经末梢和7-氨基丁酸(GABA)能神经元之间的相互关系、探索两者在精神分裂症中作用的神经解剖学机制。方法 用免疫电镜双标技术，分别以抗DA和抗谷氨酸脱羧酶(GAD、GABA的合成酶)标记大鼠杏仁体基底外侧核中DA能神经末梢和GABA能神经元，在电镜下观察DA能神经末梢和GABA能神经元之间的突触联系。结果 由DA免疫阳性神经末梢形成的突触中，有43％直接或间接形成于DA免疫阳性神经末梢与GAD免疫反应阳性树突结构之问，其中单一性突触为38％、汇聚性突触为30％、连续性突触为20％、末梢间突触样联系为12％。另外的57％由DA免疫阳性神经末梢与未标记的神经结构形成，其中在未标记的神经元胞体形成10％、树突上82％、轴突末梢上8％。由DA免疫反应阳性末梢形成的所有突触均为对称性即抑制性突触。结论 在大鼠杏仁体基底外侧核中，DA能神经末梢系统以对称性突触支配着GABA能中间神经元，同时，又与核内的谷氨酸能投射神经元形成突触联系．并影响其活动。     

大鼠杏仁体基底外侧核中小白蛋白反应阳性神经元受抑制性神经网络支配(英文)

小白蛋白 (PV)神经元作为杏仁核簇基底外侧核 (BL)中局部神经环路成分 ,对杏仁核的情绪、学习和记忆过程等机能发挥重要作用。为探讨 BL中 PV中间神经元的突触形成状态 ,本研究用抗 PV抗体标示 PV神经元 ,以抗多巴胺 (DA)抗体标示多巴胺能轴突及末梢作为传入纤维的标志 ,对大鼠杏仁核做了免疫电镜双标记研究。结果表明 ,突触主要见于 PV免疫阳性神经元的树突结构上 ,包括从树突干到中间及小型树突的各级分支。其中 68%的突触由未标记的轴突终末形成 ,3 2 %分别由 DA(2 1% )和 PV(11% )免疫阳性轴突末梢形成。 PV免疫阳性神经元与未标记末梢所形成的突触大多数是对称性的 ,仅少数为非对称性。这些非对称性突触见于 PV神经元的树突小棘和连续性突触 ,即一个未标记轴突末梢与另一个未标记轴突末梢形成对称性突触 ,后者又与 PV免疫阳性神经元树突形成非对称性突触。 DA和 PV免疫阳性神经元轴突终末与 PV免疫阳性神经元树突之间的突触全部是对称性的。以上结果表明 ,大鼠杏仁核 BL 的 PV中间神经元受非对称性突触所构成的包括多巴胺系统在内的抑制性神经网络支配     

大鼠杏仁体基底外侧核中含D2受体的γ氨基丁酸神经元受多巴胺能末梢支配(英文)

杏仁体中的多巴胺(DA)和γ -氨基丁酸(GABA)递质系统均参与精神分裂症的病理过程,临床上一般用多巴胺II型受体(D2)阻断剂予以治疗。然而,目前尚不清楚GABA与D2受体是否共存,也不清楚DA能神经末梢与GABA能神经元之间的联系方式。本实验用共聚焦激光扫描显微镜(CLSM)和免疫电镜(IEM)研究了杏仁体关键性核团基底外侧核中GABA与D2受体的共存关系以及DA神经能末梢与GABA能神经元之间的突触关系。CLSM显示由谷氨酸脱羧酶(GAD)标记的GABA能神经元全部对D2受体呈免疫阳性反应,表明GABA能神经元含有D2受体。IEM显示,在 980个DA能神经末梢形成的突触中,45%的突触是由DA免疫反应阳性神经末梢直接(36% )或间接(9% )与GAD免疫反应阳性神经元的树突形成,另 55%是由DA免疫反应阳性神经末梢与未标记的神经元成分形成。DA GABA的直接性突触进而可区分为单突触 (16% )、汇聚突触 (14% )及轴 轴突触(6% )。而DA- GABA的间接性突触是个突触复合体。在该复合体中,DA免疫反应阳性末梢在一个未标记的末梢上形成对称性突触,而该未标记末梢又与GAD免疫反应阳性树突形成非对称性突触。在DA与未标记神经元成分之间的突触中,AD免疫反应阳性末梢分别与未标记胞体(4% )、树突(42% )及轴突末梢(9% )形成突触。所有DA突触无一例外均为?     

大鼠脊髓背角CGRP、IB4阳性终末与GABA能神经元之间的联系及GABABR1阳性终末的超微结构观察

背根神经节小型神经元初级传入末梢上的GABAB受体在脊髓背角接受中间神经元的突触前抑制,是脊髓水平痛觉调节的途径之一。为研究大鼠脊髓背角胶状质中背根神经节神经元传入纤维末梢同脊髓背角GABA能中间神经元之间的联系,本实验用免疫组织化学法,通过激光共聚焦显微镜观察了正常大鼠CGRP阳性和IB4阳性背根节神经元的中枢突同脊髓背角GA-BA能中间神经元之间的联系。同时,用免疫电镜(IEM)技术研究了脊髓背角GABABR1阳性的背根神经节神经元中枢突末梢形成突触的特点。结果显示:CGRP阳性和IB4阳性背根节神经元的中枢突和脊髓背角GABA能中间神经元之间形成密切联系;电镜下许多脊髓背角胶状质中突触小球的中央末梢为GABABR1免疫阳性,并作为突触前或突触后成分与周围末梢之间形成对称性和非对称性突触。提示脊髓背角GABA能中间神经元可能通过分布在背根节神经元初级传入末梢上的GABAB受体产生突触前抑制,参与脊髓水平的痛觉调制。     

GABA能神经元在大鼠、树运动皮层的分布及其电镜观察

选取进化上种风差异较大的两种动物大鼠和树　为研究材料，在光镜和电镜下观察运动皮层的GABA能神经元．两种动物运动皮层中GABA能神经元的数量、大小及所占的比例都有明显的差异．大鼠运动皮层中GABA能种经元的平均密度为140．0±49．2个／mm2，树　则为214．0±82．9个／mm2，树　的密度明显高于大鼠．大鼠从Ⅱ层到Ⅵ层GABA能神经元的数量逐层降低，而树　从Ⅱ层到Ⅴ层逐层降低，Ⅵ层的密度则高于Ⅴ层，二者密度最高的都是在Ⅱ层．大鼠GABA能神经元的最长在平均为14．2±1．2μm，树　为11．9±1．6μm．大鼠最长径在15μm以上的占29．8％；而树　仅占11．3％，树　的GABA能神经元比大鼠的要小．所以在进化较高等的动物－树　的运动皮层中，GABA能神经元的密度较高，大的GABA能神经元较少．电镜观察显示GABA能神经元表面既接受对称型突触又接受非对称型突触，两种动物非对称型突触的数目都不与GABA能神经元的周长及截面积呈线性相关．对称型突触既有GABA能的也有非GABA能的；大鼠GABA能的及非GABA能的对称型突触，和树　非GABA能的对称型突触都与GABA能神经元的周长及截面积呈线性关系．     

锥体束神经元在大鼠、树皮层的分布及其与GABA能神经元的关系

以大鼠和树作为研究材料，在脑桥下缘切断一侧锥体束，用HRP逆行标记和计算机三维重构观察锥体束神经元在皮层的分布，以及在光镜和电镜下观察锥体束神经元和GABA能神经元的关系。逆行标记的锥体来神经元主要分布于皮层的运动区和体感区，在枕区、扣带区、颞区和屏状皮层中都有少量分布。树锥体束神经元的总数是大鼠的1．5倍，用计算机重构显示HRP标记的锥体束神经元在脑内吻尾方向上的分布跨度比大鼠小，故其分布范围较大鼠集中，密度较高，且其中大细胞也较多．树的锥体来神经元长径在15μm以上者占74．0％；大鼠则占62．9％。在电镜下观察这些锥体束神经元的胞体上全分布着对称型的突触，其中既有GABA能，也有非GA-BA能者。不同胞体上接受GABA能和非GABA能突触的比例不同，一种较大的胞体上GABA与non－GABA阳性终末相比，前者数量大（13：3）而较小的胞体上则相反，两者的数量相比，为7：18。大鼠和树的锥体束神经元胞体的单位周长上接受的突触数目也不同，树锥体束神经元胞体的10μm单位周长上分布有4．4个突触。大鼠则为3．4个。随着动物进化锥体束神经元接受突触的数目有增加的趋势．     

大鼠延髓孤束核吻侧段内脑啡肽免疫阳性轴突末梢与含阿片μ受体的γ-氨基丁酸能神经元之间的突触联系

目的:观察大鼠孤束核吻侧段(rNTS)内脑啡肽免疫反应阳性(ENK-ir)终末、γ-氨基丁酸免疫反应阳性(GA-BA-ir)神经元及阿片μ受体免疫反应阳性(MOR-ir)神经元三者之间的联系。方法:包埋前免疫组织化学方法显色结合免疫金颗粒双重标记后,电镜观察。结果:在电镜下可见ENK-ir产物主要定位于圆形清亮突触小泡及大颗粒囊泡表面,GABA-ir产物主要分布于胞体及树突内部,多见于粗面内质网及核糖体等结构,MOR-ir产物主要位于树突膜、线粒体膜、内质网膜等结构表面;ENK-ir轴突终末与GABA-ir神经元胞体及树突之间形成对称性和非对称性的突触联系,以对称性突触为主;ENK-ir轴突终末与MOR-ir神经元的胞体及树突形成以对称性突触为主的突触联系;GA-BA-ir与MOR-ir产物共存于神经元内,GABA/MOR-ir神经元与免疫反应阴性的终末形成对称性和非对称性突触,以对称性突触为主。结论:rNTS内的ENK-ir终末可能通过与MOR结合,调节GABA能神经元的活性,从而参与味觉信息的感受和调节。     

大鼠纹状体parvalbumin阳性中间神经元的超微结构

目的:研究纹状体parvalbumin (Parv)阳性中间神经元在神经通路上的突触连接.方法:利用免疫组织化学和神经示踪方法标记SD大鼠纹状体Parv及其相关神经元,光镜和电镜观察阳性神经元的结构和位置关系.结果:Parv阳性中间神经元中等大小,散在分布于纹状体,以背外侧居多.光镜免疫双标记显示Parv阳性中间神经元与皮质、丘脑和中脑黑质的传入轴突终末形成明显的形态位置上的邻近关系,其轴突终末则与纹状体不同类型投射神经元在光镜下也形成邻近关系.Parv阳性中间神经元的免疫电镜观察显示阳性产物主要游离于胞体、树突和轴突的胞质内.Parv阳性中间神经元的胞体和树突均接受大量的非对称型突触传入.Parv阳性轴突终末平均大小为(0.62±0.28)μm,可见其与纹状体神经元的树突、胞体和树突棘形成对称型突触,其中与树突形成的突触占69.64%,与胞体和树突棘形成的突触分别为26.78%和3.58%.结论:纹状体Parv阳性中间神经元形态学上与皮质、丘脑、黑质以及纹状体投射神经元形成突触连接,提示其可能在调节纹状体信息传入和输出过程中具有重要作用.     

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。     

GABA能中间神经元在运输应激大鼠躯体感觉皮质的分布

目的:探讨运输应激对大鼠躯体感觉皮质γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)能中间神经元分布的影响。方法:采用摇床加束缚建立大鼠运输应激模型，将24只SD雄性大鼠随机分为对照组(Control)、运输应激1 d组(TS1d)、运输应激3 d组(TS3d)、运输应激7 d组(TS7d)。应用尼氏染色、免疫组织化学染色法观察运输应激状态下大鼠躯体感觉皮质GABA能不同亚型中间神经元的表达及分布。结果:在躯体感觉皮质，运输应激之后小清蛋白(PV)阳性神经元、生长抑素(SOM)阳性神经元、钙视网膜蛋白(CR)阳性神经元数量显著减少，在TS7d时下降最明显；PV阳性神经元数量在第Ⅱ～Ⅳ层显著减少；SOM阳性神经元数量在第Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ层显著减少；CR阳性神经元数量在第Ⅰ～Ⅵ层显著减少。结论:运输应激后，大鼠躯体感觉皮质GABA能中间神经元显著减少，其中PV和CR这两种钙结合蛋白类中间神经元数量下降最明显，提示钙结合蛋白在调节应激方面起关键作用。     

Relative effects of pentobarbital and chloralose on the responsiveness of neurons in sensorimotor cerebral cortex of the domestic cat.

A sample of 583 individual neurons was obtained from the sensorimotor cerebral cortex in cats anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. Four sites related to the contralateral forepaw were sampled: precoronal (field 3b), midsigmoid (field 3a), and postcruciate (field 4γ) and precruciate (field 4γ). The sample was compared with one previously obtained from the same four sites (4175 neurons) in cats anesthetized with α-chloralose. The average number of evokable neurons per electrode track was the same under both anesthetics at the precoronal site in somatosensory area I. Under pentobarbital anesthesia, the number of neurons/track decreased linearly through an order of magnitude from the precoronal to the precruciate sites, whereas under chloralose anesthesia it was nearly the same at three of the four sites, decreasing by about 25% at the midsigmoid site. The pentobarbital sample consisted almost exclusively of small-field neurons, whereas the chloralose sample contained a substantial number of bilateral-field and wide-field neurons. Two wide-field neurons found under pentobarbital anesthesia were found to become unresponsive to some, but not all, cutaneous inputs after a supplemental dose of pentobarbital. The small-field neurons found under pentobarbital anesthesia responded with lower probability but at significantly shorter latency than those found under chloralose.It is argued that although a few of the neurons classed as wide-field under chloralose anesthesia may be classed as small-field or bilateral-field under pentobarbital anesthesia, the majority simply become unresponsive to cutaneous input under pentobarbital anesthesia. They probably increase their tonic discharge under pentobarbital anesthesia, some showing ‘burst’ discharges. It is concluded that the sample of cutaneously excitable neurons obtainable under pentobarbital anesthesia is limited by comparison with that obtainable under chloralose anesthesia, and that a specific set of neurons is affected most strongly. This set—the wide-field neurons—includes the great majority of the pyramidal tract neurons. It is argued that not only do the views of the sensorimotor cerebral cortex differ between the two anesthetic conditions, but also that neither view relates in a simple or direct way to that obtained from awake, unanesthetized preparations.     

Neural dynamics in cortex-striatum co-cultures-I. Anatomy and electrophysiology of neuronal cell types

An in vitro system was established to analyse corticostriatal processing. Cortical and striatal slices taken at postnatal days 0–2 were co-cultured for three to six weeks. The anatomy of the organotypic co-cultures was determined using immunohistochemistry. In the cortex parvalbumin-positive and calbindin-positive cells, which resembled those seen in vivo, had laminar distributions. In the striatum, strongly stained parvalbumin-positive cells resembling striatal GABAergic interneurons and cholinergic interneurons were scattered throughout the tissue. The soma area of these iterneuron classes was larger than the average striatal soma area, thus enabling visual selections of cells by class before recording. Cortical neurons with projections to the striatum showed similar morphological features to corticostriatal projection neurons in vivo. No projections from the striatum to the cortex were found. Intracellular recordings were obtained from 94 neurons. These were first classified on the basis of electrophysiological characteristics and the morphologies of cells in each class were reconstructed. Two types of striatal secondary neurons with unique electrophysiological dynamics were identified: GABAergic interneurons (n = 17) and large aspiny, probably cholinergic, interneurons (n = 15). The electrophysiological and morphological characteristics of cortical pyramidal cells (n = 27), cortical interneurons (n = 1), as well as striatal principal neurons (n = 34), were identical to those reported for similar ages in vivo.

Organotypic cortex-striatum co-cultures are therefore suitable as an in vitro system in which to analyse corticostriatal processing. The network dynamics, which developed spontaneously in that system, are examined in the companion paper.     

Chemosensitive neurons within the area postrema of the rat

It is demonstrated that some neurons within the area postrema, if not all, are responsive to glucose or sodium ions applied topically by means of microelectro-osmotic techniques. Glucose-responsive neurons displayed a marked decrease in the discharge rate in response to the topical application of glucose. Two different types of sodium-responsive neurons were observed; one was characterized by increasing the frequency of the discharges responding to microiontophoretic application of Na+, while the other showed the opposite response by decreasing the discharge rate in response to the same stimulation. They may serve enteroceptors in response to changes in the glucose or sodium concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or blood.     

Laminar and cytoarchitectonic features of the cerebral cortex in the Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

The present investigation carried out Nissl, Klüver-Barrera, and Golgi studies of the cerebral cortex in three distinct genera of oceanic dolphins (Risso's dolphin, striped dolphin and bottlenose dolphin) to identify and classify cortical laminar and cytoarchitectonic structures in four distinct functional areas, including primary motor (M1), primary sensory (S1), primary visual (V1), and primary auditory (A1) cortices. The laminar and cytoarchitectonic organization of each of these cortical areas was similar among the three dolphin species. M1 was visualized as five-layer structure that included the molecular layer (layer I), external granular layer (layer II), external pyramidal layer (layer III), internal pyramidal layer (layer V), and fusiform layer (layer VI). The internal granular layer was absent. The cetacean sensory-related cortical areas S1, V1, and A1 were also found to have a five-layer organization comprising layers I, II, III, V and VI. In particular, A1 was characterized by the broadest layer I, layer II and developed band of pyramidal neurons in layers III (sublayers IIIa, IIIb and IIIc) and V. The patch organization consisting of the layer IIIb-pyramidal neurons was detected in the S1 and V1, but not in A1. The laminar patterns of V1 and S1 were similar, but the cytoarchitectonic structures of the two areas were different. V1 was characterized by a broader layer II than that of S1, and also contained the specialized pyramidal and multipolar stellate neurons in layers III and V.     

丘脑束旁核-纹状体神经元轴突终末的超微结构证实

目的研究丘脑束旁核(PFn)-纹状体神经元轴突终末的分布和超微结构特征,以及与纹状体神经元之间的形态学联系。方法借助于神经示踪剂BDA10K注射方法顺行标记PFn神经元,光镜和电镜下观察和计数阳性纤维在纹状体内的数量和分布形式以及超微结构特征,实验资料借助于SPSS软件统计处理分析和体视学观察。结果①PFn神经元轴突终末在纹状体内呈散在不均匀分布;背侧区显著多于腹侧区(P<0.001),而外侧区与内侧区之间差异无统计学意义(P=0.387)。②光镜高倍镜观察显示大量的BDA阳性纤维与纹状体不同类型神经元(包括NeuN阳性、Darpp-32阳性以及Parv阳性神经元)的胞体和突起在形态学上存在明显的相邻关系。③电镜观察和测量结果显示BDA阳性终末平均直径为(0.648±0.288)μm,同时发现它们与纹状体神经元之间主要形成兴奋性(非对称型)突触连接;阳性轴突终末的65.18%与树突形成兴奋性突触,其直径为(0.651±0.304)μm;剩余的34.82%[平均直径为(0.642±0.257)μm]与树突棘形成兴奋性突触连接。结论丘脑PFn-纹状体神经元轴突终末主要分布于纹状体的背侧区,并与纹状体不同类型的神经元显示相邻关系,电镜超微结构下证实其突触形式主要为轴-树兴奋性突触连接,结果提示丘脑PFn神经元对纹状体不同类型的神经元的影响可能具有选择性和特异性。     

生后不同发育阶段的小鼠下丘脑大细胞神经元的超微结构

搞目的：研究小鼠下丘脑大细胞神经元在生后各发育阶段超微结构的变化规律。方法：以昆明小鼠为实验动物，取生后不同阶段的小鼠下丘脑，按常规的超微结构制作方法制作电镜标本，1200EX透射电镜观察。结果：生后1d粗面内质内网(PER)短，散在分布，凋亡细胞多；生后5d，凋亡细胞明显减少，有髓神经纤维开始形成；生后20d，各种细胞器均已出现，RER变长，平行排列，多聚核糖体布于其间，Golgi体明显；生后30d，细胞器发达，分泌颗粒明显；生后60d，Golgi体发达，分泌颗粒增多增大。结论：生后30d，小鼠下丘脑大细胞神经元已发育成熟。     

Inhibitory connections of nystagmus-related reticular burst neurons with neurons in the abducens,prepositus hypoglossi and vestibular nuclei in the cat

Summary Action potentials of inhibitory burst neurons (IBNs) were extracellularly recorded in the pontomedullary reticular formation in the cat. These neurons were identified by their burst activity coincident with the quick inhibitory phase of the contralateral abducens nerve during vestibular nystagmus and by their antidromic activation from the contralateral abducens nucleus.During extracellular recording from the soma of single IBNs, another electrode for microstimulation was systematically tracked throughout the brain stem. For each IBN investigated, the effective sites for antidromic activation were invariably found in the contralateral abducens, prepositus hypoglossi, medial vestibular nuclei and the area ventral to the prepositus hypoglossi nucleus. Stimulation of neither the ipsilateral brain stem nor the oculomotor nuclei evoked antidromic responses in IBNs.Extracellular spikes of single IBNs and neurons in the overlying projection area were recorded simultaneously. Their correlation was examined by using peri-spike time histograms. Shortly after the spikes of single IBNs, the activity of motoneurons and internuclear interneurons in the abducens nucleus, and of type II neurons in the prepositus hypoglossi and vestibular nuclei, was depressed.Connections of IBNs with ipsilateral medial rectus motoneurons were studied by spike-triggered averaging of membrane potentials of the motoneurons and action potentials of the medial rectus nerve. Single IBN spikes induced a di- or polysynaptic disfacilitation in the motoneurons. This disfacilitation was concluded to be mediated by some of the above-described interneurons which were directly inhibited by IBNs. Their depressant effect on medial rectus motoneuronal spike activity was comparable to that on the spike activity of contralateral abducens motoneurons.     

体外培养乳鼠海马神经元的扫描电镜观察

目的：研究体外培养海马神经元的表面超微结构。方法：用扫描电镜对海马培养细胞进行形态学观察。结果：体外培养的海马神经元具有梭形、锥体形、多角形等多种形态，细胞突起长短不一，粗细不匀，可见形态不同，大小不均的膨体样结构，树突上可见树突棘，突起末端可见生长锥，突起之间有连接。结论：体外培养的海马神经元具有与在体细胞相似的形态学特征。     

Immunohistochemical identification of the oxytocin and vasopressin neurons in the hypothalamus of the monkey (Macaca fuscata)

Summary The hypothalamic oxytocin and vasopressin neurons of the monkey, Macaca fuscata, were demonstrated in Golgi-like images by a modified immunoperoxidase method. The magnocellular oxytocin and vasopressin neurons were distributed mainly in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. In addition to these main nucleic, both types of magnocellular neurons were found in the accessory supraoptic nucleus, the periventricular and perifornical areas, the nucleus of the stria terminalis, the lateral hypothalamic area, and the pars interna of the globus pallidus. Magnocellular oxytocin neurons were seen immediately ventral to the anterior commissure, and parvocellular vasopressin neurons were localized in the medial portion of the suprachiasmatic nucleus. The preferential distribution of the oxytocin and vasopressin neurons was recognized not only in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei, but also in other areas. In all areas observed, the cytological difference between the oxytocin and vasopressin neurons could be identified. The area, of the perikarya of the vasopressin neurons was determined to be larger than that of the oxytocin neurons. Most of the axons of the oxytocin neurons issued from the perikarya, while the axons of the vasopressin neurons originated in most cases from the thick proximal dendrites. These results show that the oxytocin and vasopressin neurons are distributed in areas much broader than has hitherto been assumed, and that these two peptidergic neurons can be definitely differentiated morphologically as well as functionally.Supported by grants (No. 56440022, 56770037) from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture, Japan     

Neuronal types in the claustrum of man

Summary Neuronal types of the human clastrum have been investigated by means of a transparent Golgi technique which enables one to study the characteristics of not only the cellular processes but also the marking features of the nuclei, the cellular organelles, and the paraplasmic substances of various types of nerve cells.Five varieties of neurons have been distinguished:Type I represents a class of spiny nerve cells varying to a certain extent in size and shape. These cells contain fine and widely dispersed lipofuscin granules which can only faintly be tinged by aldehydefuchsin.Type II cells are large aspiny neurons. Their cell bodies contain a great number of deeply stained coarse pigment granules.Type III cells are large aspiny neurons devoid of pigment deposits.Type IV is a small pigment-laden aspiny neuron.Type V is a small aspiny neuron devoid of lipofuscin granules.The pattern of pigmentation revealed by the different types of nerve cells turns out to be highly characteristic. It can well be used for classification of the various types of nerve cells which occur within the reaches of the claustrum.