The immunohistochemical localization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the basal forebrain of the dog

The present work describes for the first time the anatomical distribution of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) immunoreactivity and NADPH-d activity in the basal forebrain of the dog. As in other species, small, intensely nNOS-immunoreactive cells were seen within the olfactory tubercle, caudate nucleus, putamen, nucleus accumbens and amygdala. In addition, a population of mixed large and small nNOS positive cells was found in the medial septum, diagonal band and nucleus basalis overlapping the distribution of the magnocellular cholinergic system of the basal forebrain. Our results show that the distribution of NOS containing neurons in these nuclei in the dog is more extensive and uniform than that reported in rodents and primates. When double labeling of nNOS and NADPH-d was performed in the same tissue section most neurons were double labeled. However, a considerable number of large perikarya in the diagonal band and nucleus basalis appeared to be single labeled for nNOS. Thought a certain degree of interference between the two procedures could not be completely excluded, these findings suggest that NADPH-d histochemistry, which is frequently used to show the presence of NOS, underestimates the potential of basal forebrains neurons to produce nitric oxide. In addition, a few neurons mainly localized among the fibers of the internal capsule, appeared to be labeled only for NADPH-d. These neurons could be expressing a different isoform of NOS, not recognized by our anti-nNOS antibody, as has been reported in healthy humans and AD patients.