Anatomy and physiology of the neuroendocrine arcuate nucleus

The arcuate nucleus surrounds the ventral part of the third ventricle and contains densely packed small neurons with 1-3 dendrites. At least fifteen transmitters and neuropeptides have been found in perikarya of arcuate neurons. Each transmitter and neuropeptide have a characteristic distribution. In many cases distributions overlap (for example, dopamine and somatostatin, dopamine and neurotensin, neuropeptide Y and somatostatin) and alpha-MSH and beta-endorphin seem to have identical distributions but there are also distinctive neuronal populations containing only one of the described transmitters or neuropeptides (neuropeptide Y and alpha-MSH). Studies show extensive colocalization of dopamine and neurotensin and sparse colocalization of dopamine and GABA, neuropeptide Y and FMRF-NH2 and neuropeptide Y and somatostatin. Colocalization does not seem to be the rule in the arcuate, however, it is possible that colocalization may vary with the physiological state or sex of the animal. It also should be noted that our techniques may not be sensitive enough. To study efferent projections as a possible organizing principle within the arcuate, retrograde fluorescent tracing was combined with transmitter and neuropeptide immunohistochemistry. Mainly NPY and alpha-MSH neurons were studied and both peptides are present in projections to the preoptic area as well as to the midbrain periaqueductal gray. Some arcuate neurons were found to have collateral axons to both these areas. The arcuate communicates primarily with the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, limbic system, midbrain periaqueductal gray and autonomic nuclei of the brain stem. In this way, the arcuate may be involved in integrating emotional, sensory, vegetative homeostatic and autonomic functions with endocrine functions.