Cholinergic projections from magnocellular nuclei of the basal forebrain to cortical areas in rats

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline acetyltransferase (CHAc) activities were studied by quantitative histochemical (AChE) as well as biochemical methods (AChE, ChAc) in certain cortical brain areas in rats after stereotaxic lesions had been placed in several structures of the basal forebrain. After lesioning the magnocellular nuclei of the substantia innominata (nuc. basalis Meynert, NBM) the activities of AChE and ChAc decreased to moderate or low residual values in the ipsilateral cortical areas. This indicated that cholinergic pathways were directly linked to frontal, sensory-motor, auditory and visual cortex. After lesions of the globus pallidus the decrease in cortical AChE activity was less pronounced. Lesions of the caudate, accumbens or entopeduncular nucleus did not influence the cortical AChE activities. The results are discussed with respect to the similarity of the organization of the cholinergic projection to the cortex arising from NBM cells and the monoaminergic system which innervates the cortex. It is suggested that both neurotransmitter systems by their interaction might modulate and control cortical information processing and behavior in a manner analogous to the control of peripheral activity by the sympathetic and parasympathetic system.