The monoaminergic innervation of the cerebral cortex is not diffuse and nonspecific

It is generally thought that monoamines play a nonspecific role in modulating cortical activity. However, several lines of evidence now indicate that cortical monoaminergic afferents show remarkable anatomical specificity. In particular, there is unequivocal evidence for regional, laminar and intracortical specificity, and for action of monoamines through conventional synapses.