A retrograde transport method for mapping zinc-containing fiber systems in the brain

A method for selectively labeling the CNS neurons that give rise to zinc-containing axonal boutons is described. Focal intracerebral infusions of selenium anions are used to produce a precipitate (presumably ZnSe) in zinc-containing axonal boutons at the injection site, and within 24-48 h, the precipitate is transported to the neurons of origin of those boutons. Silver enhancement is used to render the ZnSe visible in sections prepared for the light or electron microscope. No evidence of retrograde labeling is apparent in neurons that do not contain zinc in their boutons. Thus, the method provides a chemically specific technique for retrograde tracing of zinc-containing pathways in the CNS.