Acetylcholinesterase enzyme localization in the amygdala: a comparative histochemical and ultrastructural study

The distribution of acetylcholinesterase enzyme was studied in the amygdala of some rodents, subprimates and several primates. The cytoarchitecture of the amygdala has presented various problems to anatomists, including the question as to how many nuclear groups and subgroups should be identified. Among the mammals examined, the arrangement of the amygdaloid nuclei is remarkably uniform and no clear phylogenetic trend can be recognised. Although there are minor differences, there seems to be a general similarity between most mammals examined in so far as the distribution of cholinesterase is concerned. The staining is less intense in the brains of the monkeys examined. The sole exception to the rule, that cholinesterase distribution is slightly different from nucleus to nucleus in different animals, is the magnocellular part of the basal nucleus. This amygdaloid nucleus stains quite strongly in all animals examined. From these findings, and those of others studying the distribution of choline acetyltransferase, it was concluded that the basal amygdaloid nucleus is cholinergic and possible cholinoceptive. The ultrastructural investigations appear to confirm this point. This is particularly applicable to the magnocellular part of the basal amygdaloid nucleus.