Coexistence of GABA and peptide immunoreactivity in non-pyramidal neurons of the basolateral amygdala

Colocalization of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) immunoreactivity with somatostatin (SOM), neuropeptide Y (NPY), cholecystokinin (CCK), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) immunoreactivity was demonstrated in non-pyramidal neurons of the basolateral amygdala using a two-color immunoperoxidase procedure. Approximately 80-90% of SOM- and NPY-positive neurons in the basolateral amygdala were also immunoreactive for GABA. Virtually all large CCK-positive neurons also exhibited GABA-like immunoreactivity. About one-half of VIP-positive neurons and small CCK-positive cells were also immunoreactive for GABA.