Vol 42, No 2 (2004)
Original paper
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2004-07-16
The relationships between neurons containing dopamine and nitric oxide synthase in the ventral tegmental area.
I Klejbor, B Domaradzka-Pytel, B Ludkiewicz, S Wójcik, J Moryś
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2004;42(2):83-87.
Vol 42, No 2 (2004)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2004-07-16
Abstract
Ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a heterogeneous group of dopaminergic cells which contains interfascicular (IF), parabrachial (PBP) and rostral linear (RLi) nuclei. Neurons of this area are involved in the regulation of motor and motivational aspects of behavior and reveal high neuronal plasticity. Among many various neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, nitric oxide (NO) is localized in this region. In the present study, we investigated morphology and distribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-positive neurons in VTA and their colocalization with dopaminergic neurons. The study was performed on six adult Wistar rats. After perfusional fixation, the brains were cut, immunostained for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and NOS and studied by confocal laser microscopy. In each of the three studied nuclei of VTA we investigated three different neuronal populations. Numerous TH-immunoreactive (TH-ir) and NOS-immunoreactive (NOS-ir) neurons are present in the studied region. Among them, a considerable number showed coexistence of both neurotransmitters. The populations of TH-ir and NOS-ir neurons interact with each other as manifested by the presence of NOS-ir endings on TH-ir neurons and vice versa. Taking the above into account, it may be suspected that NO is involved in the modulation of dopaminergic transmission.
Abstract
Ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a heterogeneous group of dopaminergic cells which contains interfascicular (IF), parabrachial (PBP) and rostral linear (RLi) nuclei. Neurons of this area are involved in the regulation of motor and motivational aspects of behavior and reveal high neuronal plasticity. Among many various neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, nitric oxide (NO) is localized in this region. In the present study, we investigated morphology and distribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-positive neurons in VTA and their colocalization with dopaminergic neurons. The study was performed on six adult Wistar rats. After perfusional fixation, the brains were cut, immunostained for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and NOS and studied by confocal laser microscopy. In each of the three studied nuclei of VTA we investigated three different neuronal populations. Numerous TH-immunoreactive (TH-ir) and NOS-immunoreactive (NOS-ir) neurons are present in the studied region. Among them, a considerable number showed coexistence of both neurotransmitters. The populations of TH-ir and NOS-ir neurons interact with each other as manifested by the presence of NOS-ir endings on TH-ir neurons and vice versa. Taking the above into account, it may be suspected that NO is involved in the modulation of dopaminergic transmission.
Title
The relationships between neurons containing dopamine and nitric oxide synthase in the ventral tegmental area.
Journal
Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica
Issue
Vol 42, No 2 (2004)
Article type
Original paper
Pages
83-87
Published online
2004-07-16
Page views
1399
Article views/downloads
1199
Bibliographic record
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2004;42(2):83-87.
Authors
I Klejbor
B Domaradzka-Pytel
B Ludkiewicz
S Wójcik
J Moryś