Anatomical distribution of substance P-immunoreactive neurons in human brainstem during the first postnatal year

The localization of substance P (SP)-immunoreactive structures in the infant brainstem was investigated by immunohistochemistry using the peroxidase antiperoxidase technique. SP-immunoreactive structures are widely distributed throughout the brainstem region. SP-immunoreactive cell bodies are prominent in the superior colliculis, the central grey, the nucleus tractus solitarius and the reticular formation. A high density of SP-immunoreactive fibers is found in the nucleus tractus solitarius, the trigeminal nucleus and the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Large SP-immunoreactive fibers are seen in the substantia nigra. In the present study, we also investigated the development of substance P-immunoreactive fibers in the infant brainstem during the first postnatal year. We note a qualitative increase in the density of SP-immunoreactivity in some brainstem regions such as colliculus superior and substantia nigra with respect to age.