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Published on: October 29, 2012
Cholinergic innervation and thalamic input in rat nucleus accumbens
Michael Ligorio1, Laurent Descarries, Richard A Warren
1Centre de recherche Fernand-Séguin, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Que., Canada
Cholinergic neurons in the rat nucleus accumbens primarily use asynaptic transmission, not direct synapses, for innervation. Thalamic inputs to these cholinergic neurons are indirect, suggesting novel signaling pathways.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cholinergic interneurons are the sole source of acetylcholine in the rat nucleus accumbens (nAcb).
- Limited anatomical data exists regarding their innervation and excitatory drive origins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the cholinergic and thalamic innervations of the rat nAcb.
- To elucidate the mode of innervation and excitatory drive for nAcb cholinergic interneurons.
Main Methods:
- Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunocytochemistry to visualize cholinergic elements.
- Anterograde transport of Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) from thalamic nuclei.
- Ultrastructural analysis and stereological extrapolation to determine synaptic contacts.
Main Results:
- Cholinergic profiles in the nAcb were predominantly asynaptic (<15% synaptic).
- Thalamic afferents (PHA-L labeled) were largely synaptic (all confirmed), targeting dendritic spines (>90%).
- No direct synaptic connections were observed between thalamic afferents and cholinergic elements.
Conclusions:
- Cholinergic innervation of the rat nAcb is largely asynaptic.
- Thalamic afferents primarily synapse on medium spiny neuron dendrites.
- Excitatory drive to nAcb cholinergic interneurons is likely indirect via other neurons or extrasynaptic diffusion.
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