Acetylcholinesterase on the dendrites of central cholinergic neurons: an electron microscopical study in the ferret

A combination of choline acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry and acetylcholinesterase histochemistry was used to characterize the ultrastructural distribution of acetylcholinesterase in identified cholinergic and non-cholinergic neurons in the ferret brain. Previous studies have shown that most of the cholinergic input to the brain arises from choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons found in the neostriatum, basal forebrain and dorsolateral pontine tegmentum. In all these cells intense staining for acetylcholinesterase was localized within the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, in the nuclear envelope and Golgi apparatus, and along the plasma membranes of the soma and dendrites. In contrast, the distribution of acetylcholinesterase in non-cholinergic neurons was restricted mainly to the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum and the nuclear envelope. Since previous studies have associated high levels of acetylcholinesterase staining with non-cholinergic neurons in the locus coeruleus and substantia nigra zona compacta, these areas were examined as well. The ultrastructural localization of acetylcholinesterase in the principal locus coeruleus neurons was as observed in typical non-cholinergic neurons. On the other hand, the distribution of acetylcholinesterase in the principal cells of the zona compacta of the substantia nigra was more like that found in cholinergic neurons. In conclusion, the subcellular distribution of acetylcholinesterase in the principal cholinergic neurons of the brain follows a characteristic pattern which, with one exception, is different from that of acetylcholinesterase-positive non-cholinergic neurons.     

NGF对新生大鼠隔神经元的神经营养作用

本实验观察了神经生长因子（ＮＧＦ，２．５ｓ）对无血清培养新生大鼠隔神经元生长发育的作用。结果证明，ＮＧＦ能促进新生大鼠隔神经元的存活，增加神经元胞体面积和直径，增加隔培养神经元中ＡＣｈＥ阳性神经元的数目。流式细胞分析显示，ＮＧＦ使神经元平均蛋白含量增加。以上结果表明：ＮＧＦ对新生大鼠隔神经元的生长发育具有促进作用。Ｐ＜０．０１３．ＮＧＦ增加隔培养神经元胞体面积、最长径和最短径图像分析结果可见：在前７ｄ，在神经元胞体面积、最长径和最短径等方面两组之间无明显差别，但在培养１４、２１和３０ｄ时，ＮＧＦ组培养神经元的平均胞体面积、最长径和最短径均大于对照组，经统计学处理有显著意义（表２）。表２对隔培养神经元胞体面积、最长径和最短径的影响（ｘ±ｓ）注：Ｎ＝３０与同时期对照组相比＊Ｐ＜０．０５Ｐ＜０．０１４．ＮＧＦ促进新生大鼠隔细胞的总量白合成用ＦＡＣＳ４４０流式细胞仪测定隔细胞的平均蛋白含量，结果表明：在培养３、７、１４和２１ｄ时，ＮＧＦ组培养细胞的平均蛋白含量均显著高于对照组（表３，Ｆｉｇ．１）。表３ＮＧＦ对隔神经元蛋白合成的影响（ｘ±ｓ）往：Ｎ＝５与同时期对照组相比　＊Ｐ＜０．０５５．ＮＧＦ提高隔神经元的ＡＣｈＥ?     

Amelioration of cholinergic neurons dysfunction in aged rats depends on the continuous supply of NGF

The present study was designed to examine whether NGF-induced improvement in morphology of senile basal forebrain cholinergic neurons persist after discontinuation of NGF treatment. Trophic effect of continuous intraventricular infusion of NGF was tested in the 4- and 28 months old male Wistar rats immediately after cessation of NGF and 3 or 6 weeks after termination of treatment. Immunohistochemical procedure for ChAT, TrkA, and p75(NTR) receptor has been applied to identify cholinergic cells in the basal forebrain structures. Using the quantitative image analyzer, morphometric and densitometric parameters of cholinergic cells were measured. In untreated 28-month-old rats a reduction in the number, size and intensity of staining of cholinergic neurons was observed in all basal forebrain structures. NGF significantly improved morphological parameters of ChAT- and TrkA-positive cells in aged rats. In 28-month-old rats tested within 3 and 6 weeks after discontinuation of infusion a renewed progressive deterioration of cholinergic phenotype of basal forebrain neurons was observed when compared with the NGF-treated immediately tested group. The parallel staining for p75(NTR) revealed normal morphology of the basal forebrain neurons, despite of the age of rats or the NGF treatment. Analysis of Nissl stained sections also showed that 28-month-old rats did not display significant losses of neurons in the basal forebrain when compared with the young animals. These findings demonstrate that senile impairment of cholinergic neurons is induced by a loss of cholinergic phenotype rather than an acute degeneration of cell bodies. NGF may be beneficial in enhancing cholinergic neurochemical parameters, but the protective effects seem to be dependent on the continuous supply of NGF.     

BDNF、NGF对体外长期培养的胚基底前脑胆碱能神经元的影响

本文探讨了脑源性神经营养因子、神经生长因子对体外长期培养的胚基底前脑胆碱能神经元是否具有延缓退变的作用。实验分为脑源性神经营养因子组、神经生长因子组、脑源性神经营养因子加神经生长因子组及单纯对照组。取孕 17d SD大鼠胚基底前脑原基制成细胞悬液接种于 2 4孔培养板中 ,按分组加入含相应神经营养因子和不含神经营养因子的 DMEM培养液 ,分别于体外培养 12、18、2 4、3 0 d后进行乙酰胆碱酯酶组织化学反应。显微镜下计数各孔中乙酰胆碱酯酶阳性神经元数 ,每孔随机测量和计数 2 5个乙酰胆碱酯酶阳性神经元的平均胞体直径、发出的突起数和最长突起长度。数据用方差分析和 SNK检验进行统计学处理。结果显示 ,在培养的 4个时期 ,含脑源性神经营养因子组、神经生长因子组和脑源性神经营养因子加神经生长因子组的各项数据均明显地优于单纯对照组 ;脑源性神经营养因子加神经生长因子组的各项数据 ,特别是最长突起长度优于单独使用脑源性营养因子或神经生长因子组。提示 :脑源性神经营养因子和神经生长因子不仅对体外培养的胚胆碱能神经元发育生长具有促进作用 ,而且还可延缓体外长期培养的大鼠胚基底前脑胆碱能神经元的退变 ;两者的联合使用还可对延缓其退变具有协同作用     

An attempt to cause the selective loss of the cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain of the rat: a new animal model of Alzheimer's disease

In the present study, we attempted to develop a new animal model of Alzheimer's disease. Injections of a nerve growth factor (NGF)-diphtheria toxin conjugate into the cerebral cortex resulted in a marked ipsilateral reduction of cholinergic neurons in the horizontal limb of the diagonal band and basal magnocellular nucleus of rats. No effects could be seen in the cholinergic neurons located in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus intrinsic cortical cholinergic neurons, and catecholaminergic locus coeruleus neurons. Injections of the conjugate into the caudoputamen failed to cause changes in the striatal cholinergic neurons. Since our method could selectively reduce cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain without damage to the non-cholinergic neurons or passing fibers in this nucleus, this animal model method seems to be very useful in analyzing the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease or in examining the function of acetylcholine in the cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain.     

The localization and distribution of high affinity beta-nerve growth factor binding sites in the central nervous system of the adult rat. A light microscopic autoradiographic study using [125I]beta-nerve growth factor

Although beta-nerve growth factor is primarily known for its trophic role in the peripheral nervous system, recent reports have also revealed an inductive effect of beta-nerve growth factor on the cholinergic metabolism of the forebrain. To learn more about the significance and location of beta-nerve growth factor action in the central nervous system, the distribution of [125I]beta-nerve growth factor binding sites was studied by using the method of in situ receptor autoradiography and compared with the distribution of acetylcholinesterase, a sensitive enzyme marker of cholinergic neurons. The autoradiographic studies demonstrated strong, specific and saturable [125I]beta-nerve growth factor binding to several neuronal groupings in the forebrain and brainstem. beta-Nerve growth factor binding sites and strong acetylcholinesterase reactivity were jointly distributed in the forebrain on the medial septal nucleus, the diagonal band of Broca, the magnocellular basal nucleus and in the striatum. In the brainstem, beta-nerve growth factor binding sites were located on a number of neuronal groups in the reticular formation, the dorsolateral lemniscus and the cochlear nuclei. In contrast to the forebrain, less correlation was found with the distribution of acetylcholinesterase; no beta-nerve growth factor receptor expression was recorded on the cholinergic motor nuclei of the brainstem, while specific [125I]beta-nerve growth factor labeling could be located on the non-cholinergic cochlear nuclei. The present autoradiographic studies reveal a variety of tentatively beta-nerve growth factor receptor-positive neurons in the central nervous system. While strong correlation between the cholinergic metabolism and the presence of specific beta-nerve growth factor binding is demonstrated in the forebrain, this observation could not be extended to the brainstem, indicating the chemical diversity of central beta-nerve growth factor receptor-positive neurons.     

Genistein对大鼠基底前脑胆碱能神经元发育影响的体外研究

本文旨在研究染料木素(genistein)对体外培养的基底前脑胆碱能神经元发育的影响。取孕18d胎鼠基底前脑神经元,体外有血清培养7d后,随机分为3组:无血清培养液组(control组),genistein+无血清培养液组(G组)、E2+无血清培养液组(E2组)。48h后用MTT法测定细胞活力和代谢状态;用AChE组化染色以及ChAT和MAP2免疫荧光双重染色,镜下计数AChE阳性和ChAT阳性神经元数,并对两种神经元的细胞面积、第一级突起数及最长突起长度进行检测。结果显示:MTT法所测的OD值、AChE阳性和ChAT阳性神经元数、细胞面积、第一级突起数及最长突起长度在G组与control组之间无明显差异,然而E2组中的上述数值均明显增加。本研究的结果提示:genistein对体外培养的基底前脑胆碱能神经元无类似雌激素样的神经保护和营养作用。     

IL-1β对培养大鼠胆碱能神经元的影响及机制探讨

目的:探讨IL-1β对大鼠胆碱能神经元的影响及机理。方法:检测不同时相、不同脑区的培养神经细胞AChE、BuchE及ChAT的活性和前脑基底、皮层中胆碱酯酶阳性细胞数目。 结果:IL-1β对AChE活性的最大促进作用时相为24 h,皮层、前脑基底和海马部位的AChE活性明显高于对照组(P＜0.01),且能够完全被IL-1ra所阻断; 而小脑、脊髓、基底神经节部位的AChE活性则未见明显变化,同时各组BuchE、ChAT的活性均无明显变化,前脑基底、皮层中胆碱酯酶阳性细胞数目亦未见明显变化。结论: IL-1β能够明显升高特定脑区AChE活性,使乙酰胆碱的生成减少;而AChE活性的增高可能与其基因的转录和翻译增加有关。     

Acetylcholinesterase activity in senile plaques of aged macaques

A modified acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-histochemical technique, which demonstrates axonal morphology to a high degree, was used to examine the neocortices of aged monkeys. This approach disclosed slender linear axonal profiles in young animals. In older monkeys, there was a variety of abnormalities of AChE-containing fibers, including multifocal distentions of individual fibers and aggregations of neuritesized, AChE-rich swellings. Combined with thioflavin-T staining to visualize amyloid, this histochemical technique showed that some of these AChE-containing fibers were present in proximity to deposits of amyloid. This association suggests that abnormal AChE-rich axons participate in the formation of some senile plaques in the neocortices of aged nonhuman primates. While it is probable that many of these AChE-rich fibers are axons of cholinergic neurons residing in the basal forebrain, it is also likely that some of these fibers are derived from noncholinergic neuronal populations known to synthesize AChE. Immunocytochemical strategies can be used to assess the involvement of other systems, including cholinergic, noradrenergic, dopaminergic, somatostatinergic, and serotonergic neurons in the formation of senile plaques in the brains of aged nonhuman primates.     

Attentional functions of the forebrain cholinergic systems: effects of intraventricular hemicholinium,physostigmine, basal forebrain lesions and intracortical grafts on a multiple-choice serial reaction time task

Summary Degeneration of the cholinergic magnocellular neurons in the basal forebrain and their cortical projections is a major feature of the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, two experiments examined the disruptive effects on visual attentional performance of two different manipulations that reduce central cholinergic function. In Expt. I, pharmacological manipulation of the cholinergic system was investigated using icv administration of hemicholinium (HC-3), a 9high affinity choline uptake blocker, administered either alone or in conjunction with the anticholinesterase, physostigmine. The results revealed impairments in the ability of the rats to localize brief visual targets in a serial reaction time task, as shown in particular by a reduction in choice accuracy and lengthening of the latency to respond correctly to the visual stimulus. Cholinergic specificity was supported by the reversal of these behavioural impairments by pre-treatment with the anticholinesterase, physostigmine. In Expt. II, quisqualateinduced lesions of the basal forebrain produced behavioural deficits at 3 weeks post-lesion surgery similar to those observed following icv infusion of HC-3. In an attempt to restore the extrinsic cortical cholinergic innervation by reinnervation of the deafferented cortex, embryonic basal forebrain cholinergic cells were transplanted into the cortex of lesioned animals. After three months recovery, impairments in performance on the baseline schedule of the task were no longer apparent in lesioned animals. However, behavioural deficits, observed predominantly as a lengthening of correct response latency, could be reinstated in the lesioned animals by interpolation of distracting bursts of white noise during each trial, and this deficit was ameliorated by the cholinergic grafts. Furthermore, a non-specific effect of both cholinergic and non-cholinergic grafts in controlling the increase in perseverative time-out responses which occurred as a result of the basal forebrain lesion was consistently observed. These results suggest that cholinergic dysfunction can produce deficits in visual attention which can be ameliorated by cholinergic treatments such as physostigmine or cholinergic-rich cortical grafts. These data provide support for a role for the basal forebrain-neocortical cholinergic projection in attentional function.     

Dissociation between the attentional functions mediated via basal forebrain cholinergic and GABAergic neurons

The role of basal forebrain corticopetal cholinergic projections in attentional functions has been extensively investigated. For example, 192 IgG-saporin-induced loss of cortical cholinergic inputs was repeatedly demonstrated to result in a selective impairment in the ability of rats to detect signals in a task designed to assess sustained attention performance. The loss of cortical cholinergic inputs correlated highly with the decrease in the hit rate. Little is known about the functions of basal forebrain non-cholinergic neurons, particularly corticopetal GABAergic neurons, largely because of the absence of specific research tools to manipulate selectively this projection. As basal forebrain lesions produced with ibotenic acid were previously observed to potently destroy non-cholinergic, particularly GABAergic neurons while producing only moderate decreases in the density of cortical cholinergic inputs, the present experiment examined the effects of such lesions on sustained attention performance and then compared these effects with the immunohistochemical and attentional consequences of selective cholinotoxic lesions produced by intra-basal forebrain infusions of 192 IgG-saporin. In contrast to the selective decrease in hits previously observed in 192 IgG-saporin-lesioned animals, the attentional performance of ibotenic acid-lesioned animals was characterized by a selective increase in the relative number of false alarms, that is 'claims' for signals in non-signal trials. Analyses of the response latencies suggested that this effect of ibotenic acid was due to impairments in the animals' ability to switch from the processing of the response rules for signal trials to those for non-signal trials. As expected, 192 IgG-saporin did not affect the number of basal forebrain parvalbumin-positive neurons, that are presumably GABAergic, but decreased cortical acetylcholinesterase-positive fiber density by over 80%. Conversely, in ibotenic acid-lesioned animals, basal forebrain parvalbumin-positive cells were decreased by 60% but cortical acetylcholinesterase-positive fiber density was only moderately reduced (less than 25%).These data form the basis for the development of the hypothesis that basal forebrain GABAergic neurons mediate executive aspects of attentional task performance. Such a function may be mediated in parallel via basal forebrain GABAergic projections to the cortex and the subthalamic nucleus.     

Neurotrophic effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor on basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in culture from postnatal rats.

We examined the effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on cholinergic neurons in culture from postnatal rat basal forebrain by assay of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity and cytochemical staining for acetylcholinesterase (AChE). BDNF was found to increase the ChAT activities but failed to promote the survival of AChE-positive neurons in cultures from neonatal (P3) rats, suggesting that its main role is cholinergic differentiation. In contrast, an enhancement of the survival of AChE-positive neurons and of ChAT activity was observed in cultures from P15-16 rats, suggesting that BDNF's main action is the maintenance of cholinergic neurons. Our results indicate a similarity between BDNF and nerve growth factor effects on the responses of cholinergic neurons of postnatal rat basal forebrain in culture.     

Alpha-adrenergic receptor (alpha(2 A )) is colocalized in basal forebrain cholinergic neurons: a light and electron microscopic double immunolabeling study

A variety of data suggest that noradrenaline and acetylcholine may interact in the basal forebrain, however no morphological studies have addressed whether indeed cholinergic neurons express adrenergic receptors. We have investigated the presence of alpha-adrenergic receptor subtype alpha2A-AR in cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain. Cholinergic neurons were identified with an antibody against choline acetyltransferase and the receptor with a polyclonal antibody raised against a 47 amino acid fragment of the third intracellular loop of the alpha2A-AR. For double labeling at the light microscopic level the Ni-DAB/DAB technique was used, and for electron microscopy an immunoperoxidase/immunogold method was applied. We detected the alpha2A-AR protein in cholinergic as well as in non-cholinergic neurons. Almost half of all cholinergic neurons contained this adrenergic receptor. Double-labeled neurons were distributed throughout the rostro-caudal extent of the basal forebrain cholinergic continuum, including the medial septum, vertical and horizontal diagonal band nuclei, pallidal regions, substantia innominata and the internal capsule. Non-cholinergic neurons that expressed the alpha2A-AR outnumbered cholinergic/alpha2A-AR neurons by several factors. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of alpha2A-AR in cholinergic neurons in the medial septum, vertical and horizontal diagonal band nuclei. Gold particles (10 nm) indicative of alpha2A-AR were diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm and accumulated in cytoplasmic areas near the Golgi complex and cysterns of the endoplasmic reticulum and were associated with the cellular membranes at synaptic and non-synaptic locations. Since many of the alpha2A-AR+/non-cholinergic neurons we detected are likely to be GABAergic cells, our data support the hypothesis that noradrenaline may act via basal forebrain cholinergic and non-cholinergic neurons to influence cortical activity.     

Nerve growth factor-induced excitation of selected neurons in the brain which is blocked by a low-affinity receptor antibody

We have investigated the electrophysiological effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) on single-neuron activity in central nervous system (CNS) grafts of septum, spinal cord, and hippocampus in oculo. NGF was found to have slow-onset, long-lasting excitatory effects on the spontaneous firing of neurons in septal grafts, while no such effects were found in neurons of either hippocampal or spinal cord grafts. Pretreatment with an antibody against the p75 low-affinity NGF receptor blocked the NGF-induced excitations. A second NGF application caused much stronger excitatory responses in sensitive neurons. Our data suggest that forebrain cholinergic neurons may be selectively sensitive to NGF also at the neurophysiological level, responding by excitations, and that NGF upregulates these responses within less than an hour.     

Selective disarrangement of the rostral telencephalic cholinergic system in heterozygous reeler mice

Reelin (RELN) is a key molecule for the regulation of neuronal migration in the developing CNS. The reeler mice, which have spontaneous autosomal recessive mutation in the RELN gene, reveal multiple defects in brain development. Morphological, neurochemical and behavioral alterations have been detected in heterozygous reeler (HR) mice, suggesting that not only the presence, but also the level of RELN influences brain development. Several studies implicate an involvement of RELN in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders in which an alteration of the cholinergic cortical pathways is implicated as well. Thus, we decided to investigate whether the basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic system is altered in HR mice by examining cholinergic markers at the level of both cell body and nerve terminals. In septal and rostral, but not caudal, basal forebrain region, HR mice exhibited a significant reduction in the number of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactive (ir) cell bodies compared with control mice. Instead, an increase in ChAT ir neurons was detected in lateral striatum. This suggests that an alteration in ChAT ir cell migration which leads to a redistribution of cholinergic neurons in subcortical forebrain regions occurs in HR mice. The reduction of ChAT ir neurons in the BF was paralleled by an alteration of cortical cholinergic nerve terminals. In particular, the HR mice presented a marked reduction of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) staining accompanied by a small reduction of cortical thickness in the rostral dorsomedial cortex, while the density of AChE staining was not altered in the lateral and ventral cortices. Present results show that the cholinergic basalo-cortical system is markedly, though selectively, impaired in HR mice. Rostral sub-regions of the BF and rostro-medial cortical areas show significant decreases of cholinergic neurons and innervation, respectively.     

Projections from the amygdaloid complex to the magnocellular cholinergic basal forebrain in rat

The amygdaloid complex has a key role in the modulation of behavioral responses in life-threatening situations, including the direction of attentional responses to sensory stimuli. The pathways from the amygdala to the basal forebrain cholinergic system, which projects to the cortex, are proposed to contribute to the modulation. To further explore the topography and postsynaptic targets of these pathways, we investigated the projections from the different divisions of the lateral, basal, accessory basal, and central nuclei of the amygdala to the cholinergic basal forebrain in rat using a sensitive anterograde tracer, Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin. The most substantial projections from the amygdala to the basal forebrain are directed to the ventrolateral and dorsomedial aspects of the substantia innominata and the fundus of the striatum. The heaviest projections originate in the capsular, lateral, and intermediate divisions of the central nucleus as well as in the magnocellular and parvicellular divisions of the basal nucleus. Light microscopic analysis of double-stained preparations revealed that the distribution of amygdaloid efferents and cholinergic neurons overlaps most prominently in the ventrolateral substantia innominata. Despite the fact that the central nucleus efferents and cholinergic elements overlap in the ventrolateral substantia innominata, electron microscopic analysis revealed, first, that the postsynaptic targets of the central nucleus efferents are non-cholinergic, probably GABAergic, neurons. Second, 80% of the synaptic contacts were symmetric.The present data extend previous observations showing that the different amygdaloid nuclei provide projections to the selective basal forebrain areas. Further, the central nucleus efferents modulate cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain indirectly via the GABAergic interneurons.     

Nerve growth factor promotes development of the rat septo-hippocampal cholinergic projection in vitro

There is now widespread evidence indicating that nerve growth factor (NGF) is involved in the function of central cholinergic neurons. Its possible role in the establishment of cholinergic fiber connectivities was studied in co-cultures of rat septum and hippocampus. Application of 100 ng/ml NGF greatly increased the number of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-positive fibers which invaded the hippocampal slices, an effect which was accompanied by a more than 6-fold elevation of the two major cholinergic enzymes, choline acetyltransferase and AChE. In contrast, application of anti-NGF antiserum, but not a non-immune serum, reduced the number of AChE-positive fibers which grew into and remained within the hippocampal slices. Since no diffuse outgrowth of AChE-positive fibers from the septum was observed following application of NGF, these results suggest that NGF plays a role in the stabilization and long-term maintenance of the cholinergic septo-hippocampal projection in vitro.     

BDNF、NGF对体外培养的胚胆碱能神经元生长发育的影响

本文用AChE组化方法，研究了BDNF、NGF对培养的胚鼠基底前脑胆碱能神经元的作用及BDNF和NGF的协同作用。结果表明BDNF和NGF都具有增加AChE阳性神经元数量的作用，二者的不同在于BDNF作用出现的时间较早、强度较小；而NGF作用出现的时间较迟但强度较大。并发现BDNF对体外培养的胚胆碱能神经元胞体早期的生长发育作用比较明显，而NGF的作用则不甚显著。BDNF对胚胆碱能神经元发出突起和突起的延伸作用较NGF强。BDNF和NGF的联合作用较单独使用BDNF或NGF为好。本文的结果提示在体外培养中两种营养因子联合应用较只用一种因子有益。     

Physiological evidence for subpopulations of cortically projecting basal forebrain neurons in the anesthetized rat

Sixty-three cortically projecting basal forebrain neurons were identified in chloral hydrate anesthetized rats by antidromic activation from the cerebral cortex. Two subpopulations were noted: type I neurons exhibited two antidromic action potentials of constant latency and identical waveform in response to double pulse cortical stimulation. In contrast, type II neurons exhibited two antidromic action potentials of constant latency but differing waveforms in response to the double pulse paradigm. The phenomenon exhibited by type II cortically projecting basal forebrain neurons is interpreted as evidence for loss of the somatodendritic portion of the antidromic action potential with high frequency stimulation. The median latency to antidromic activation of type II neurons (13.5 ms) was significantly longer than that of type I neurons (3.9 ms). Spontaneous firing rates varied over a wide range (0-49 Hz), and there was no significant difference between the rates of type I and type II neurons. These data underscore the physiological heterogeneity of this presumptive cholinergic cortical afferent system. Anatomical studies have shown that most, but possibly not all cortically projecting basal forebrain neurons are cholinergic. The relative proportions of type I (87%) and type II (13%) neurons encountered in this study suggest that type I neurons might be cholinergic and type II neurons non-cholinergic. If substantiated, this hypothesis would permit cholinergic and non-cholinergic cortically projecting basal forebrain neurons to be distinguished using a simple test of antidromicity.     

Rat fetal brain tissue grafts survive and innervate host brain following five day pregraft tissue storage

Freshly dissected fetal basal forebrain tissue rich in cholinergic neurons was either dissociated into a cell suspension and injected into the cholinergically denervated hippocampus of adult rats, or stored in a preservative medium at 4 degrees C. Five days later the stored tissue was dissociated into a cell suspension and injected in the denervated hippocampus in another group of animals. Six weeks later the grafts were evaluated with acetylcholinesterase histochemistry for the assessment of graft survival, graft tissue volume and extent of reinnervation of the denervated hippocampus. All grafts in both the freshly dissociated and the 'stored' group survived. The stored grafts were on the average 1/5 in volume but had an appropriate and extensive laminated reinnervation pattern within the denervated hippocampus. This method of storing cells for extended periods prior to grafting allows for experimental manipulation of fetal tissue as well as long distance transportation prior to intracerebral grafting.