Demonstration of axon collateral projections from the substantia nigra pars reticulata to the superior colliculus and the parvicellular reticular formation in the rat

It was revealed in the rat that single neurons in the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) innervated both the superior colliculus (SC) and the parvicellular reticular formation (RFp) in the pons and medulla oblongata by way of axon collaterals. After injecting Fluoro-gold into the lateral part of the SC and Fluoro-ruby into the RFp on the same side, some SNr neurons were double-labeled with both tracers. They were localized in the dorsolateral part of the caudal half of the SNr ipsilateral to the injection sites.