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A major direct GABAergic pathway from zona incerta to neocortex
C S Lin1, M A Nicolelis, J S Schneider
1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|June 22, 1990
Summary
Researchers discovered a new direct pathway from the zona incerta to the entire rat neocortex using gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons. This pathway shows corticotopic organization and is larger in early development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroanatomy
Background:
- The zona incerta is a poorly understood brain region.
- Neuronal pathways connecting the zona incerta to the neocortex have not been well-characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and characterize a novel neuronal pathway from the zona incerta to the neocortex in rats.
- To determine the neurotransmitter content and projection patterns of this pathway.
Main Methods:
- Retrograde fluorescent tracers were employed to trace neuronal projections.
- Immunohistochemistry was used to identify neurotransmitters like GABA and dopamine.
Main Results:
- A sizable, direct gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-containing neuronal pathway from the zona incerta to the entire neocortex was identified.
- The pathway projects bilaterally with rough corticotopic organization and contains glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and GABA.
- The pathway is significantly larger during early postnatal development (2-3 weeks).
Conclusions:
- A previously unknown, direct GABAergic incertocortical pathway exists in rats.
- This pathway's projection pattern and developmental trajectory suggest functional similarities with monoaminergic and cholinergic systems.