与咬肌运动神经元直接联系的运动前神经元在脑干的分布

目的为了定位向咬肌运动神经元投射的最后一级运动前神经元在脑干内的分布。方法注射麦芽凝集素结合的辣根过氧化物酶(WGA-HRP)至咬肌神经逆行跨突触追踪,然后通过免疫组织化学方法显示了该类神经元。结果这类神经元分布在双侧三叉上核(Vsup)、三叉神经感觉主核背侧部(Vpdm)、小细胞网状结构(PCR)和三叉神经脊束核吻侧亚核背侧部(Vodm),以及对侧三叉神经运动核(Vmo)。数量上,Vsup,特别是注射侧Vsup中,标记的神经元数量最多;其他核团内,双侧标记的神经元的数量无明显差别。结论一侧咬肌运动神经元直接接受脑干双侧多个区域调控。     

Bilateral brainstem connections of the rat supratrigeminal region

Efferent and afferent connections of the supratrigeminal region were studied in the rat using iontophoretically delivered horseradish peroxidase and Phaseolus vulgaris leuco-agglutinin. Projections of supratrigeminal efferents were found to the contralateral supratrigeminal region, to the ipsi- and contralateral trigeminal motor nuclei and the medullary reticular formation, and to the ipsilateral facial and hypoglossal motor nuclei. Neurons projecting to the supratrigeminal region were located in the contralateral supratrigeminal nucleus, in the ipsilateral mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus and bilaterally in the medullary reticular formation. This organization is discussed with respect to bilateral oral motor control mechanisms.     

Chemoanatomical separation of vibrissal trigeminal primary afferents in the rat: a special central representation of supraorbital vibrissae

A choleratoxin B subunit transganglionic labelling technique and NPY immunohistochemistry were applied in the rat to achieve the chemoanatomical separation of myelinated vibrissal primary afferents, previously considered to be morphologically indistinguishable. Further, a special central representation pattern of supraorbital vibrissae was observed in the trigeminal brainstem nuclear complex: (1) Choleratoxin-labelled supraorbital vibrissal primary afferents terminated densely in their appropriate barrelettes in the trigeminal principal sensory nucleus, in the spinal oral subnucleus, in the caudal part of the spinal interpolar subnucleus, and in lamina IV of the caudal part of the spinal caudal subnucleus. (2) A second population of choleratoxin-labelled vibrissal afferents was also observed, terminating only in lamina III of the caudal subnucleus. (3) After peripheral nerve transection, NPY-immunoreactive supraorbital vibrissal primary afferent fibres appeared in their appropriate barrelettes in the principal sensory nucleus and the caudal part of the interpolar subnucleus, while in the caudal part of the caudal subnucleus NPY-immunoreactive vibrissal primary afferent terminals were found exclusively in the inner part of lamina II, extending over the outer part of lamina III. NPY-immunoreactive supraorbital vibrissal primary afferents were never found in the oral subnucleus. In contrast with the rules of the central representation of the mystacial (infraorbital) vibrissae, the multiple representation of the supraorbital vibrissae in the caudal subnucleus and the dense, barrelette-like terminal arborization of the choleratoxin-labelled supraorbital vibrissal primary afferents in the oral subnucleus apparently indicate an enhanced role of supraorbital vibrissae in reflexes that protect the eyes and the head from damage.     

Trigeminothalamic fibre connections in the donkey (Equus asinus) studied by means of the retrograde cell degeneration method.

In this study the left thalamus of seven very young donkeys was transected and the trigeminothalamic fibre connections were investigated by means of the retrograde cell degeneration method. The animals were allowed to survive for a period of 15-45 days and the paraffin sections of the brain stem were stained according to the Klüver-Barrera and the thionine methods. It was found that the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus exhibited retrograde cell changes and cell losses, in its dorsal part, only at the side ipsilateral to the thalamic transection. As far as the nucleus of the spinal tract is concerned, slight changes were found, mainly contralaterally, in its oral subnucleus only. These findings suggest that in the donkey the main trigeminothalamic projection follows an ipsilateral course to the thalamus.     

Arrangement and connections of mesencephalic trigeminal neurons in the rat

The morphology of the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus was examined microscopically in serial frozen sections. The nucleus extends over a length of about 4.5 mm, and its cell number was calculated to range from 1,000 to 1,600. 60% of the cells were located in the caudal third of the nucleus. Clustering of large unipolar cells was seen throughout the nucleus. Small spindle-shaped multipolar cells were found in the pontine part of the nucleus. The efferent connections of the mesencephalic trigeminal neurons were investigated by means of iontophoretically delivered Phaseolus vulgaris leuco-agglutinin or horseradish peroxidase after electrophysiological identification of mesencephalic trigeminal neurons. All projections were found ipsilateral to the injection site; they were confined to the trigeminal motor nucleus, especially to its lateral part, and to the dorsolateral reticular formation. The latter projection area included the supratrigeminal nucleus, the nucleus of Probst, and the parvocellular reticular zone. There were no direct projections to the facial or hypoglossal motor nuclei. It is concluded that proprioceptive input from one side is mediated polysynaptically to the bilateral oral final common-path neurons, with the exception of the ipsilateral trigeminal motoneurons.     

Intersubnuclear connections within the rat trigeminal brainstem complex

Prior intracellular recording and labeling experiments have documented local-circuit and projection neurons in the spinal trigeminal (V) nucleus with axons that arborize in more rostral and caudal spinal trigeminal subnuclei and nucleus principalis. Anterograde tracing studies were therefore carried out to assess the origin, extent, distribution, and morphology of such intersubnuclear axons in the rat trigeminal brainstem nuclear complex (TBNC). Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) was used as the anterograde marker because of its high sensitivity and the morphological detail provided. Injections restricted to TBNC subnucleus caudalis resulted in dense terminal labeling in each of the more rostral ipsilateral subnuclei. Subnucleus interpolaris projected ipsilaterally and heavily to magnocellular portions of subnucleus caudalis, as well as subnucleus oralis and nucleus principalis. Nucleus principalis, on the other hand, had only a sparse projection to each of the caudal ipsilateral subnuclei. Intersubnuclear axons most frequently traveled in the deep bundles within the TBNC, the V spinal tract, and the reticular formation. They gave rise to a number of circumscribed, highly branched arbors with many boutons of the terminal and en passant types. Retrograde single- or multiple-labeling experiments assessed the cells giving rise to TBNC intersubnuclear collaterals. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and/or fluorescent tracer injections into the thalamus, colliculus, cerebellum, nucleus principalis, and/or subnucleus caudalis revealed large numbers of neurons in subnuclei caudalis, interpolaris, and oralis projecting to the region of nucleus principalis. Cells projecting to more caudal spinal trigeminal regions were most numerous in subnuclei interpolaris and oralis. Some cells in lamina V of subnucleus caudalis and in subnuclei interpolaris and oralis projected to thalamus and/or colliculus, as well as other TBNC subnuclei. Such collateral projections were rare in nucleus principalis and more superficial laminae of subnucleus caudalis. TBNC cells labeled by cerebellar injections were not double-labeled by tracer injections into the thalamus, colliculus, or TBNC. These findings lend generality to currently available data obtained with intracellular recording and HRP labeling methods, and suggest that most intersubnuclear axons originate in TBNC local-circuit neurons, though some originate in cells that project to midbrain and/or diencephalon.     

Neurochemical properties of the synapses in the pathways of orofacial nociceptive reflexes

The brainstem premotor neurons of the facial nucleus (VII) and hypoglossal (XII) nucleus can integrate orofacial nociceptive input from the caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus (Vc) and coordinate orofacial nociceptive reflex (ONR) responses. However, the synaptoarchitectures of the ONR pathways are still unknown. In the current study, we examined the distribution of GABAergic premotor neurons in the brainstem local ONR pathways, their connections with the Vc projections joining the brainstem ONR pathways and the neurochemical properties of these connections. Retrograde tracer fluoro-gold (FG) was injected into the VII or XII, and anterograde tracer biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) was injected into the Vc. Immunofluorescence histochemical labeling for inhibitory/excitatory neurotransmitters combined with BDA/FG tracing showed that GABAergic premotor neurons were mainly distributed bilaterally in the ponto-medullary reticular formation with an ipsilateral dominance. Some GABAergic premotor neurons made close appositions to the BDA-labeled fibers coming from the Vc, and these appostions were mainly distributed in the parvicellular reticular formation (PCRt), dorsal medullary reticular formation (MdD), and supratrigeminal nucleus (Vsup). We further examined the synaptic relationships between the Vc projecting fibers and premotor neurons in the VII or XII under the confocal laser-scanning microscope and electron microscope, and found that the BDA-labeled axonal terminals that made asymmetric synapses on premotor neurons showed vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGluT2) like immunoreactivity. These results indicate that the GABAergic premotor neurons receive excitatory neurotransmission from the Vc and may contribute to modulating the generation of the tonic ONR.     

Intersubnuclear Connections within the Rat Trigeminal Brainstem Complex

Prior intracellular recording and labeling experiments have documented local-circuit and projection neurons in the spinal trigeminal (V) nucleus with axons that arborize in more rostral and caudal spinal trigeminal subnuclei and nucleus principalis. Anterograde tracing studies were therefore carried out to assess the origin, extent, distribution, and morphology of such intersubnuclear axons in the rat trigeminal brainstem nuclear complex (TBNC). Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) was used as the anterograde marker because of its high sensitivity and the morphological detail provided. Injections restricted to TBNC subnucleus caudalis resulted in dense terminal labeling in each of the more rostral ipsilateral subnuclei. Subnucleus interpolaris projected ipsilaterally and heavily to magnocellular portions of subnucleus caudalis, as well as subnucleus oralis and nucleus principalis. Nucleus principalis, on the other hand, had only a sparse projection to each of the caudal ipsilateral subnuclei. Intersubnuclear axons most frequently traveled in the deep bundles within the TBNC, the V spinal tract, and the reticular formation. They gave rise to a number of circumscribed, highly branched arbors with many boutons of the terminal and en passant types.

Retrograde single- or multiple-labeling experiments assessed the cells giving rise to TBNC intersubnuclear collaterals. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and/or fluorescent tracer injections into the thalamus, colliculus, cerebellum, nucleus principalis, and/or subnucleus caudalis revealed large numbers of neurons in subnuclei caudalis, interpolaris, and oralis projecting to the region of nucleus principalis. Cells projecting to more caudal spinal trigeminal regions were most numerous in subnuclei interpolaris and oralis. Some cells in lamina V of subnucleus caudalis and in subnuclei interpolaris and oralis projected to thalamus and/or colliculus, as well as other TBNC subnuclei. Such collateral projections were rare in nucleus principalis and more superficial laminae of subnucleus caudalis. TBNC cells labeled by cerebellar injections were not double-labeled by tracer injections into the thalamus, colliculus, or TBNC.

These findings lend generality to currently available data obtained with intracellular recording and HRP labeling methods, and suggest that most intersubnuclear axons originate in TBNC local-circuit neurons, though some originate in cells that project to midbrain and/or diencephalon.     

Termination areas of primary afferent fibers of the trigeminal nerve in the rat

The cobalt-labelling technique was used to investigate the termination areas of trigeminal primary afferent fibers. The familiar somatotopic arrangement of fibers and terminals of the three divisions of the trigeminal nerve was recognized both in the spinal tract and in the nuclear complex of the trigeminus. The spinal tract could be traced as far as the 3rd cervical segment of the spinal cord where fibers crossed to the contralateral side. The different divisions of the nuclear complex could be unambiguously defined on the basis of the pattern of fiber terminations. The nucleus principalis was characterized by the even distribution of terminals in the nucleus. The nucleus spinalis was characterized by small bundles of fibers of intranuclear origin, which broke up the even distribution pattern of terminals. The presence of mesencephalic trigeminal fibers in the nucleus oralis distinguished this nucleus from the nucleus interpolaris. The nucleus caudalis was recognized on the ground of its striated structure. Primary trigeminal afferent fibers were located in the following sites: in the solitary nucleus, in the lateral part of the reticular formation, in the dorsal-column nuclei and in the superior vestibular nuclei. Primary fiber terminations could not be observed in the cerebellum.     

Localization and Central Projections of Primary Afferent Neurons That Innervate the Temporomandibular Joint in Cats

Primary afferent neurons that innervate the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in cats were labeled by injecting a 2-5% solution of wheatgerm agglutinin bound to horseradish peroxidase into the joint capsule and capsular tissues in 14 cats and processing the brain stem and trigeminal ganglia using the tetramethylbenzidine method described by Mesulam (1978). The perikarya of ganglion cells that innervate the TMJ ranged in diameter from 15 to 109 μm and were primarily located in the posterolateral portion of the trigeminal ganglion. The central processes of these neurons entered the brain stem in middle pons and were distributed to all portions of the sensory trigeminal nuclei. However, the majority of labeled fibers and greatest density of terminal labeling were observed in the dorsal part of the main sensory nucleus and the subnucleus oralis of the spinal trigeminal nucleus. Very few labeled fibers were observed in the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve below the obex. However, evidence for axon terminals was consistently observed in laminae I, II, and III of the medullary dorsal horn. These findings concur with physiological evidence showing that information from the TMJ influences neurons in rostral (Kawamura et al, 1967) and in caudal (Broton et al, 1985) portions of the trigeminal sensory nuclei.     

The interstitial system of the trigeminal spinal tract projects to the red nucleus in mice

We studied projections from the interstitial system of the spinal trigeminal tract (InSy-S5T) to the red nucleus of the mouse with retrograde tracers (fluorogold and latex microbeads impregnated with rhodamine and fluorescein). Injections in the magnocellular part of the red nucleus caused labeling of cells in the rostral, intermediate, and caudal paratrigeminal nucleus (Pa5), dorsal paramarginal nucleus (PaMD), insular trigemeo-lateral cuneate nucleus (I5CuL), and the trigeminal extension of the parvocellular reticular formation (5RPC). All projections were bilateral, but contralateral projections were stronger. The number of retrogradely labeled cells in the InSy-S5T in 3-, 6-, and 12-month-old mice was similar. Injections restricted to the parvocellular red nucleus did not label the nuclei of the InSy-S5T. This projection from the InSy-S5T to the red nucleus may mediate modulation of the facial muscles by pain and other sensory information.     

The interstitial system of the trigeminal spinal tract projects to the red nucleus in mice

We studied projections from the interstitial system of the spinal trigeminal tract (InSy-S5T) to the red nucleus of the mouse with retrograde tracers (fluorogold and latex microbeads impregnated with rhodamine and fluorescein). Injections in the magnocellular part of the red nucleus caused labeling of cells in the rostral, intermediate, and caudal paratrigeminal nucleus (Pa5), dorsal paramarginal nucleus (PaMD), insular trigemeo-lateral cuneate nucleus (I5CuL), and the trigeminal extension of the parvocellular reticular formation (5RPC). All projections were bilateral, but contralateral projections were stronger. The number of retrogradely labeled cells in the InSy-S5T in 3-, 6-, and 12-month-old mice was similar. Injections restricted to the parvocellular red nucleus did not label the nuclei of the InSy-S5T. This projection from the InSy-S5T to the red nucleus may mediate modulation of the facial muscles by pain and other sensory information.     

Principalis- or parabrachial-projecting spinal trigeminal neurons do not stain for GABA or GAD

Retrograde transport and immunohistochemical double-labeling methods (Weinberg et al., 1985) were used to assess the distribution and projection status of spinal trigeminal (SpV) neurons that stain positively for glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Large bilateral injections of diamidino yellow into the rostral and lateral pons, inclusive of V nucleus principalis and the parabrachial nucleus, retrogradely labeled large numbers of cells in each SpV subnucleus. Many cells in SpV subnuclei caudalis, interpolaris, and oralis also exhibited GABA immunoreactivity; the largest numbers were in caudalis and the smallest numbers were in oralis. However, none of the GABA- or GAD-immunoreactive SpV cells were double-labeled with diamidino yellow, though some reticular neurons displayed both GABA and the retrograde tracer. This negative result refutes a previously offered hypothesis that SpV local-circuit neurons with principalis collaterals are GABA-ergic (Jacquin et al., 1989b). These data also indicate that parabrachial-projecting SpV neurons are not GABA-ergic.     

Mapping of the trigeminal sensory complex of the cat. Characterization of its neurons by stimulations of peripheral field, dental pulp afferents and thalamic projections.

From a new systematic investigation of the 4 divisions of the trigeminal sensory complex, the following points are emphasized: 1. The subnucleus oralis receives a large representation from the oral cavity, a region also represented in the three other divisions of the trigeminal sensory complex. 2. Units responding to noxious mechanical stimulation have been found in two different loci: the subnucleus caudalis for the whole trigeminal area, and the subnucleus oralis for the oral cavity. 3. The dental pulp projects to the four divisions of the trigeminal sensory complex, but the heaviest projection is found in its rostral part (the main nucleus and subnucleus oralis). 4. Three distinct types of responses were found following dental pulp stimulation: primary, non primary and responses strongly enhanced by an increase in stimulus parameters.     

Substance P-like immunoreactivity in the trigeminal sensory nuclei of an infrared-sensitive snake,Agkistrodon blomhoffi

Summary With the peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunohistochemical method we ascertained the presence of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) in fibers and cell bodies of the trigeminal sensory system of the pit viper, Agkistrodon blomhoffi. There are a few SPLI fibers each in the principal sensory nucleus and the main neuropil of the lateral descending nucleus (i.e., the infrared sensory nucleus); a moderate number in the descending nucleus; and a large number in the caudal subnucleus, the medial edges of the interpolar subnucleus, and the marginal neuropil of the lateral descending nucleus. About 30% of the cell bodies in the ophthalmic and maxillo-mandibular ganglia show SPLI, and of the two craniocervical ganglia, the proximal ganglion has many more cells with SPLI than the distal ganglion. The SPLI distribution in the common trigeminal sensory system is similar to that of mammals, and suggests that the function of this system is also similar. In the infrared sensory system, the differing distribution in the main and marginal neuropils suggests separate functions for these two structures in the system.     

Nociceptive afferents to the premotor neurons that send axons simultaneously to the facial and hypoglossal motoneurons by means of axon collaterals

It is well known that the brainstem premotor neurons of the facial nucleus and hypoglossal nucleus coordinate orofacial nociceptive reflex (ONR) responses. However, whether the brainstem PNs receive the nociceptive projection directly from the caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus is still kept unclear. Our present study focuses on the distribution of premotor neurons in the ONR pathways of rats and the collateral projection of the premotor neurons which are involved in the brainstem local pathways of the orofacial nociceptive reflexes of rat. Retrograde tracer Fluoro-gold (FG) or FG/tetramethylrhodamine-dextran amine (TMR-DA) were injected into the VII or/and XII, and anterograde tracer biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) was injected into the caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus (Vc). The tracing studies indicated that FG-labeled neurons receiving BDA-labeled fibers from the Vc were mainly distributed bilaterally in the parvicellular reticular formation (PCRt), dorsal and ventral medullary reticular formation (MdD, MdV), supratrigeminal nucleus (Vsup) and parabrachial nucleus (PBN) with an ipsilateral dominance. Some FG/TMR-DA double-labeled premotor neurons, which were observed bilaterally in the PCRt, MdD, dorsal part of the MdV, peri-motor nucleus regions, contacted with BDA-labeled axonal terminals and expressed c-fos protein-like immunoreactivity which induced by subcutaneous injection of formalin into the lip. After retrograde tracer wheat germ agglutinated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) was injected into VII or XII and BDA into Vc, electron microscopic study revealed that some BDA-labeled axonal terminals made mainly asymmetric synapses on the dendritic and somatic profiles of WGA-HRP-labeled premotor neurons. These data indicate that some premotor neurons could integrate the orofacial nociceptive input from the Vc and transfer these signals simultaneously to different brainstem motonuclei by axonal collaterals.     

Autoradiographic distribution of 125I calcitonin gene-related peptide binding sites in the rat central nervous system

Using autoradiographic method and 125I-Tyro rat CGRP as a ligand, receptor binding sites were demonstrated in the rat central nervous system. Saturation studies and Scatchard analysis of CGRP-binding to slide mounted tissue sections containing primarily cerebellum showed a single class of receptors with a dissociation constant of 0.96 nM and a Bmax of 76.4 fmol/mg protein. 125I-Tyro rat CGRP binding sites were demonstrated throughout the rat central nervous system. Dense binding was observed in the telencephalon (medial prefrontal, insular and outer layers of the temporal cortex, nucleus accumbens, fundus striatum, central and inferior lateral amygdaloid nuclei, most caudal caudate putamen, organum vasculosum laminae terminalis, subfornical organ), the diencephalon (anterior hypothalamic, suprachiasmatic, arcuate, paraventricular, dorsomedial, periventricular, reuniens, rhomboid, lateral thalamic pretectalis and habenula nuclei, zona incerta), in the mesencephalon (superficial layers of the superior colliculus, central nucleus of the geniculate body, inferior colliculus, nucleus of the fifth nerve, locus coeruleus, nucleus of the mesencephalic tract, the dorsal tegmental nucleus, superior olive), in the molecular layer of the cerebellum, in the medulla oblongata (inferior olive, nucleus tractus solitarii, nucleus commissuralis, nuclei of the tenth and twelfth nerves, the prepositus hypoglossal and the gracilis nuclei, dorsomedial part of the spinal trigeminal tract), in the dorsal gray matter of the spinal cord (laminae I-VI) and the confines of the central canal. Moderate receptor densities were found in the septal area, the "head" of the anterior caudate nucleus, medial amygdaloid and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the pyramidal layers of the hippocampus and dentate gyri, medial preoptic area, ventromedial nucleus, lateral hypothalamic and ventrolateral thalamic area, central gray, reticular part of the substantia nigra, parvocellular reticular nucleus. Purkinje cell layer of the cerebellum, nucleus of the spinal trigeminal tract and gracile fasciculus of the spinal cord. The discrete distribution of CGRP-like binding sites in a variety of sensory systems of the brain and spinal cord as well as in thalamic and hypothalamic areas suggests a widespread involvement of CGRP in a variety of brain functions.     

Cerebellar afferents to paramedian lobule from the trigeminal complex in Tupaia glis: a horseradish peroxidase (HRP) study

Projections from the trigeminal complex to paramedian lobule (PML) were studied in the tree shrew (Tupaia glis) by means of retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Neurons which project to both dorsal and ventral folia of PML are located primarily in those areas of the trigeminal nuclear complex interpreted as nucleus interpolaris (Vi) and caudal areas of the nucleus oralis (Vo). The majority of HRP-labeled neurons lie in ventral and ventrolateral regions of Vi/Vo. No HRP-reactive cells are present in the principal (Vp), mesencephalic, or motor nuclei nor in nucleus caudalis or rostral portions of oralis. The majority of trigeminocerebellar (TC) cells are found in ipsilateral Vi; however, sparse numbers of labeled somata are present in this subnucleus on the contralateral side. Within Vi/Vo, small fusiform and medium-and large-sized multipolar neurons contain HRP-reaction product. Large multipolar cells are found primarily in ventrolateral portions of Vi/Vo, while medium and small neurons are scattered throughout the ventral half of the nucleus. Small-sized neurons are also present dorsally within Vi/Vo. Axons of labeled TC cells course laterally through the spinal trigeminal tract, enter medial aspects of the restiform body, and arch dorsally into the cerebellum.     

Brainstem areas involved in the aspiration reflex: c-Fos study in anesthetized cats

Expression of the immediate-early gene c-fos, a marker of neuronal activation was employed in adult anesthetized non-decerebrate cats, in order to localize the brainstem neuronal populations functionally related to sniff-like (gasp-like) aspiration reflex (AR). Tissues were immunoprocessed using an antibody raised against amino acids of Fos and the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method. The level of Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) was identified and counted in particular brainstem sections under light microscopy using PC software evaluations in control, unstimulated cats and in cats where the AR was elicited by repeated mechanical stimulation of the nasopharyngeal region. Fourteen brainstem regions with FLI labeling, including thirty-seven nuclei were compared for the number of labeled cells. Compared to the control, a significantly enhanced FLI was determined bilaterally in animals with the AR, at various medullary levels. The areas included the nuclei of the solitary tract (especially the dorsal, interstitial and ventrolateral subnuclei), the ventromedial part of the parvocellular tegmental field (FTL -- lateral nuclei of reticular formation), the lateral reticular nucleus, the ambigual and para-ambigual regions, and the retrofacial nucleus. FLI was also observed in the gigantocellular tegmental field (FTG -- medial nuclei of reticular formation), the spinal trigeminal nucleus, in the medullar raphe nuclei (ncl. raphealis magnus and parvus), and in the medial and lateral vestibular nuclei. Within the pons, a significant FLI was observed bilaterally in the parabrachial nucleus (especially in its lateral subnucleus), the Kolliker-Fuse nucleus, the nucleus coeruleus, within the medial region of brachium conjunctivum, in the ventrolateral part of the pontine FTG and the FTL. Within the mesencephalon a significantly enhanced FLI was found at the central tegmental field (area ventralis tegmenti Tsai), bilaterally. Positive FLI found in columns extending from the caudal medulla oblongata, through the pons up to the mid-mesencephalon suggests that the aspiration reflex is thus co-ordinated by a long loop of medullary-pontine-mesencephalic control circuit rather than by a unique "center".     

Decreased Release of D-Aspartate in the Guinea Pig Spinal Cord After Lesions of the Red Nucleus

This study attempts to determine if fibers that project from the guinea pig red nucleus to the spinal cord use L-glutamate and/or L-aspartate as transmitters. Unilateral injections of kainic acid were placed stereotaxically in the red nucleus to destroy the cells of origin of the rubrospinal tract. Six days after the injection, Nissl-stained sections through the lesion site showed that the majority of neurons in the red nucleus ipsilateral to the kainic acid injection were destroyed. In addition, the lesioned area included parts of the surrounding midbrain reticular formation. Silver-impregnated, transverse sections of the cervical spinal cord revealed the presence of degenerating fibers contralaterally in laminae IV-VII of the gray matter. Ipsilaterally, very sparse degeneration was evident in laminae VII and VIII of the gray matter. Two to six days after surgery, the electrically evoked, Ca2(+)-dependent release of both D-[3H]aspartate, a marker for glutamatergic/aspartatergic neurons, and gamma-amino[14C]-butyric acid ([14C]GABA) was measured in dissected quadrants of the spinal cervical enlargement. Lesions centered on the red nucleus depressed the release of D-[3H]aspartate by 25-45% in dorsal and ventral quadrants of the cervical enlargement contralaterally. The release of [14C]GABA was depressed by 27% in contralateral ventral quadrants. To assess the contribution of rubro- versus reticulospinal fibers to the deficits in amino acid release, unilateral injections of kainic acid were placed stereotaxically in the midbrain reticular formation lateral to the red nucleus. Nissl-stained sections through the midbrain revealed the presence of extensive neuronal loss in the midbrain and rostral pontine reticular formation, whereas neurons in the red nucleus remained undamaged. In the spinal cord, degenerating axons were present ipsilaterally in laminae VII and VIII of the gray matter. Some fiber degeneration was also evident contralaterally in laminae V and VI of the gray matter. This lesion did not affect the release of either D-[3H]aspartate or [14C]GABA in the spinal cord. The substantial decrements in D-[3H]aspartate release following red nucleus lesions suggests that the synaptic endings of rubrospinal fibers mediate the release of D-[3H]aspartate in the spinal cord. Therefore, these fibers may be glutamatergic and/or aspartatergic. Because other evidence suggests that rubrospinal neurons are probably not GABAergic, the depression of [14C]GABA release probably reflects changes in the activity of spinal interneurons following the loss of rubrospinal input.