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Related Experiment Videos

Glutamate-immunoreactive terminals synapse on primate spinothalamic tract cells.

K N Westlund1, S M Carlton, D Zhang

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555.

The Journal of Comparative Neurology
|August 22, 1992
PubMed
Summary

Glutamate terminals extensively innervate spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons in the spinal cord dorsal horn. This study quantifies the direct synaptic contact, revealing glutamate

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Spinal Cord Research
  • Pain Perception

Background:

  • Glutamate is a key excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.
  • Spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons are crucial for pain and temperature sensation.
  • The precise innervation of STT neurons by glutamate terminals in the dorsal horn is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the direct synaptic innervation of STT neurons by glutamate-immunoreactive (GLU-IR) terminals.
  • To quantify the proportion of GLU-IR terminals contacting STT neurons and their surface area.

Main Methods:

  • Electrophysiological identification and characterization of STT neurons in monkey spinal cords.
  • Intracellular injection of HRP for Golgi-like labeling of STT neurons.

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  • Post-embedding immunogold electron microscopy to detect GLU-IR terminals.

    • Main Results:

    • GLU-IR terminals were abundant, contacting a significant percentage of STT somata (46%) and dendrites (50%).
    • GLU-IR terminals covered substantial surface areas of STT neurons (54% somatic, 50% dendritic).
    • Some terminals contained round clear vesicles, while others had dense-core vesicles; GABA-IR terminals were also observed.

    Conclusions:

    • Glutamate terminals form extensive direct synaptic connections with STT neurons in the superficial dorsal horn.
    • This direct glutamatergic input likely plays a significant role in transmitting pain signals via the STT.
    • Further research can explore the functional implications of this dense innervation in pain processing.