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GABA-immunoreactive terminals synapse on primate spinothalamic tract cells.

S M Carlton1, K N Westlund, D Zhang

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

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

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) terminals directly synapse on spinothalamic tract (STT) cells in the spinal cord. This GABAergic input significantly influences sensory processing in the dorsal horn.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Spinal Cord Anatomy
  • Neurotransmission

Background:

  • Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a key inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.
  • GABAergic signaling in the spinal cord dorsal horn is crucial for modulating sensory information.
  • The precise interaction between GABA and spinothalamic tract (STT) cells requires further anatomical elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anatomical relationship between GABA-immunoreactive (GABA-IR) terminals and STT cells in the monkey lumbar spinal cord.
  • To quantify the proportion of GABAergic synapses on STT cell bodies and dendrites.
  • To correlate anatomical findings with the known inhibitory function of GABA on STT neurons.

Main Methods:

  • Intracellular injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into physiologically characterized STT cells.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Retrograde labeling of a lamina I STT cell via HRP injection into the thalamus.
  • Immunogold labeling and electron microscopic analysis of ultrathin sections to identify GABA-IR terminals contacting STT neuron profiles.

    • Main Results:

    • GABA-IR terminals formed direct synapses with STT cell bodies and proximal dendrites.
    • Approximately 24.7% of terminals on cell bodies and 36% on proximal dendrites were GABA-IR.
    • A higher percentage of GABAergic input was observed on proximal dendrites (26.7%) compared to cell bodies (18.2%).

    Conclusions:

    • GABA-IR terminals constitute a significant proportion of the synaptic input onto STT cells.
    • The postsynaptic targets of GABAergic terminals include both STT cell bodies and dendrites, with a notable emphasis on dendrites.
    • These findings support the role of GABA in both tonic and phasic inhibition of STT neurons, impacting pain and sensory transmission.