3H-GABA uptake selectively labels identifiable neurons in the leech central nervous system

Segmental ganglia of the leech ventral nerve cord synthesize the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) when incubated in the presence of the precursor glutamate, suggesting that there may be GABA-ergic neurons in the leech nerve cord. GABA-accumulating neurons of the two taxonomically distant leech species, Haementeria ghilianii and Hirudo medicinalis, have been labeled by taking advantage of their high-affinity uptake system for the neurotransmitter. Autoradiography of sectioned segmental ganglia previously exposed to 3H-GABA reveals a reproducible pattern of about thirty 3H-GABA-labeled neuronal cell bodies per ganglion. The majority of 3H-GABA-labeled neuronal cell bodies are bilaterally paired, although some apparently unpaired cell bodies also accumulate label. Neuronal processes were reproducibly labeled by GABA uptake and could be traced in the neuropil through commissures and fiber tracts into the segmental nerve roots and interganglionic connectives, respectively.