Rat medulla oblongata. IV. Topographical distribution of catecholaminergic neurons with quantitative three-dimensional computer reconstruction

We examined serial 40 micron vibratome, immunoperoxidase-stained sections of the medulla with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) antisera followed by Nissl staining to locate catecholaminergic neurons in cytoarchitectonic regions followed by a three-dimensional (3D) computer reconstruction of these cell groups to determine their spatial organization. Overlay drawings of low and high power photomicrographs showing cell bodies and nuclear boundaries were entered into a digital computer storage system. Every section in the series was plotted to yield an accurate representation of regional densities of cells and location of nuclei, as revealed by two-dimensional plots of individual sections as well as three-dimensional plots of groups of sections. Data files were scanned in a number of ways to obtain total cell counts of TH-, DBH-, and PNMT-immunoreactive cells within a designated area or cell counts of only one type of immunoreactive cell. This combination of data manipulation produced the following results: (1) A1 group is a homogeneous population of noradrenergic neurons at levels caudal to the obex, and at the obex it is mixed with adrenergic cells. The dimensions of the A1 cell group are 1.3 X 2.7 mm, extending from -2.5 to +0.2. Part of this cell group lies in the lateral reticular nucleus. (2) A2 group is not purely noradrenergic as previously suspected. It is a very mixed cell group containing mainly dopaminergic neurons in the area postrema (periventricular region) and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, mainly noradrenergic neurons in the medial subnucleus of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (nTS), mainly adrenergic neurons in the dorsal strip and dorsal subnucleus of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius, and a mixture of all three catecholaminergic neurons in the other subnuclei of the nTS. The dimensions of this group are 0.4 X 3 mm extending from -2.7 to +0.3. (3) C1 group is a homogeneous population of adrenaline cells extending from +1 to +2.5 with dimensions of 1.5 X 1.5 mm and consisting of scattered neurons some of which occupy the gigantocellular reticular nucleus. (4) C2 group is a homogeneous population of adrenaline neurons extending from +1 to +3 with dimensions of 2.5 X 3 mm. Accurate visual imaging and quantitation of the spatial organization of medullary catecholaminergic neurons within the classical anatomical framework of cytoarchitecture provides an enhanced comprehension of the organization of this region of the central nervous system.

Rat medulla oblongata. I. Cytoarchitectonic considerations

The goal of this study was to define the detailed cytoarchitecture of the medulla oblongata of the rat in order to accurately localize immunocytochemically distinct populations of neurons in this region. The cytoarchitectonic features of this region of the rat brain stem were examined in 40 micron thick serial sections of celloidin embedded brains blocked in the Horsley-Clarke stereotaxic plane. These sections were stained with cresyl violet and examined at a number of different magnifications with a variety of different intensities of staining to demonstrate particular features of the cells in this region. High magnification photomicrographs of this material revealed characteristic features of the various populations of cells. The results illustrate that the cytoarchitecture of the medulla oblongata of the rat changes remarkably within very short distances in the rostrocaudal direction. These changes indicate the need to study the anatomy and immunocytochemistry of this region in detailed serial sections. The ventral reticular formation of the rat medulla is cytoarchitectonically complex. Nuclear groups such as the lateral reticular nucleus (LRt) contain a number of cytoarchitectonically distinct subnuclei, as does the dorsally located nucleus of the tractus solitarious (nTS) (Kalia and Sullivan, '82). These nuclei occupy a considerable length of the medulla and terminate abruptly at the pontomedullary boundary. A number of other cytoarchitectonic features of the medulla were examined and the detailed characteristics were defined.

Distribution of neurophysin II immunoreactive nerve fibers within the subnuclei of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius of the rat

The location of neurophysin II immunoreactive nerve fibers and preterminal processes has been examined in various functionally distinct subnuclei of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (nTS) using the indirect immunofluorescence method for immunocytochemistry combined with cytoarchitectonic identification. The nTS is responsible for integrating respiratory and autonomic reflex activity: the vlnTS, vnTS, ni and nI are associated with respiratory activity; the dlnTS and dnTS are important sites for the integration of baroreceptor and chemoreceptor activity; the ncom, dnTS and dlnTS integrate cardiac afferent activity and the mnTS mediates both cardiovascular and gastrointestinal effects. At levels caudal to the obex, the ncom contained the largest number of neurophysin II immunoreactive nerve fibers and the mnTS and dmnX contained moderate neurophysin II immunoreactivity. At levels rostral to the obex the region of the dorsal medulla adjacent to the mnTS and dnTS (PVR and dPSR) showed the densest immunoreactivity and the mnTS, dmnX and vPSR showed moderate immunoreactivity. At the rostral pole of the nTS, neurophysin II immunoreactive nerve terminals were seen in the dendritic regions of cells in dmnX and mnTS. This selective distribution of neurophysin II immunoreactive nerve terminals in the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal subnuclei of the nTS implicates a direct, descending, hypothalamic, oxytocin-neurophysin II containing pathway interacting with these nTS functions. These results confirm the hypothesis (Sawchenko and Swanson) that descending neurophysin II immunoreactive pathways represent an important neuronal system for the hypothalamic regulation of cardiovascular (vasomotor) and gastrointestinal nuclei in the brainstem.

Somatostatin-induced apnea: interaction with hypoxia and hypercapnea in the rat

The effects of hypoxia and hypercapnea in the production of somatostatin (SRIF)-induced apnea were studied during rebreathing experiments. Hypoxia and hypercapnea resulted in a shortening of the latency of SRIF-induced apnea. In order to exclude the effect of stimulation of central chemoreceptors by mock-CSF solution, control experiments using mock-CSF in combination with hypoxia and hypercapnea were done. No apnea could be produced by the mock-CSF in combination with hypoxia and hypercapnea. The shortening of apneic latency from 480 +/- 8 s (S.E.M.) to 148 +/- 30 s with the addition of a chemostimulus (hypoxia and hypercapnea) in SRIF-induced respiratory depression demonstrates that chemostimulation interacts with the centrally originating apnea to enhance its apneic response.

Evidence for the existence of putative dopamine-, adrenaline- and noradrenaline-containing vagal motor neurons in the brainstem of the rat

A combined technique utilizing retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) combined with immunocytochemistry using antibodies raised against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and phenylethanolamine N-methyl transferase (PNMT) has been used to characterize monoaminergic neurons located within the region of the brainstem vagal motor nucleus. TH-immunoreactive (IR) but not DBH-IR and PNMT-IR neurons were double labelled predominantly at the caudal-most pole of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (dmnX), whereas double-labelled PMNT and DBH plus TH-IR neurons extended from levels just rostral to the obex to 1-2 mm rostrally in the medial and lateral poles of the dmnX, respectively. The presence of putative dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A) neurons in topographically distinct regions of the dmnX implicates, DA, NA and A in the modulation of cholinergic transmission at the level of parasympathetic ganglia in discrete parts of the thoracic and abdominal viscera.

Somatostatin produces apnea and is localized in medullary respiratory nuclei: a possible role in apneic syndromes

Immunocytochemical studies on the nucleus of the tractus solitarius and adjacent areas of the dorsal medulla of the rat demonstrate the existence of somatostatin immunoreactive nerve cell bodies and nerve terminals within the ventrolateral and ventral subnuclei of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius. Injections of somatostatin (6 nmol in 10 microliters) into the cisterna magna of chloralose-anesthetized rats produced an apnea with a latency of 5-7 min. This apnea was preceded by slow deep breathing, a reduction in heart rate and fall of arterial blood pressure. The apnea was usually irreversible leading to death of the animal. These respiratory and cardiovascular effects of somatostatin were not abolished either by bilateral vagotomy or by low decerebration (below the inferior colliculus). It is suggested that activation of somatostatin receptors linked to neurons in medullary respiratory nuclei might be responsible for the inhibition of respiratory neuronal activity and thus may mediate apneic conditions.

Distribution of neuropeptide immunoreactive nerve terminals within the subnuclei of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius of the rat

The location of substance P, enkephalin and somatostatin (SRIF), and neurophysin II immunoreactive nerve terminals and preterminal processes in the caudal part of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (nTS) was examined by the indirect immunofluorescence method for immunocytochemistry combined with cytoarchitectural identification of nuclear subgroups in the same tissue. In 22 Sprague-Dawley rats we examined 14-micrometers-thick serial sections of the dorsal medulla at levels from 1 mm caudal to 2 mm rostral to the obex. These sections were incubated with substance P, enkephalin, somatostatin, and neurophysin II antisera. All four peptides were examined in each case and five typical levels (two caudal and three rostral to the obex) were selected for comparison of terminal distribution between peptides. All sections were photographed under the fluorescence microscope and then counter-stained with cresyl violet. This method of analysis revealed distinct patterns of neuropeptide immunoreactivity in the subnuclei of the nTS that varied according to the level of the section. The nTS is responsible for integrating respiratory, cardiovascular (baroreceptor and cardiac), and gastrointestinal functions. The ventrolateral subnucleus (Vl)nTS, ventral subnucleus (v)nTS, interstitial subnucleus (ni)nTS, and intermediate subnucleus (nI)nTS are the major respiratory subnuclei with vlnTS and vnTS prominently associated with pulmonary afferents, ni associated with laryngeal afferents, and nI with tracheal afferents. The vlnTS, vnTS, and ni showed a moderate density of somatostatin-positive nerve terminals, scattered substance P and enkephalin immunoreactivity, and no neurophysin II-positive terminals. The nI showed moderate density of substance P immunoreactive nerve terminals. The subnuclei of the nTS receiving baroreceptor and chemoreceptor afferents--dorsolateral and dorsal (dl and d) subnuclei of nTS--showed scattered substance P immunoreactive nerve terminals. The commissural nucleus of nTS (ncom), which receives most of the cardiac afferents, showed a moderate density of enkephalin-positive immunoreactive nerve terminals. The medial subnucleus (m)nTS at levels rostral to the obex, the primary site for the termination of gastrointestinal afferents, showed substance P immunoreactivity in moderate amounts and weak immunoreactivity for all the other neuropeptides. An important result of these experiments was the observation that regions of the medulla adjacent to the nTS, i.e., the ventral parasolitarius region (vPSR), dorsal (d)PSR, and the periventricular region (PVR) showed the densest amounts of immunoreactive nerve terminals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Transmitter and peptide systems in areas involved in the control of blood pressure

The distribution of catecholamine neurons in the dorsal vagal complex is described on the basis of indirect immunofluorescence histochemistry using antisera to three enzymes in the catecholamine synthesis, tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase, allowing differentiation between dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline cells. In addition attention was focused on the occurrence of two peptides, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and neurotensin in this region. It could be established that they partly were present in subpopulations of the A2/C2 catecholamine neurons. The significance of this coexistence of a peptide and a catecholamine is discussed.

Evaluation of regeneration of nerve and reinnervation of skeletal muscle in the hibernating ground squirrel

The retrograde transport of HRP was used to determine the status of axonal transport in the peroneal and sciatic nerves of hibernating and nonhibernating ground squirrels following crush of the peroneal nerve at 10 to 12 mm (SNS) or sciatic nerve at 33 to 35 mm (LNS) from its entrance into the extensor muscle. The ability of the proximal segment to reestablish axonal continuity and thus neuromuscular transmission was also studied. Two weeks to 3 months after nerve crush the extensor muscles were injected with HRP. We found that during hibernation no axonal transport across the site of crush was seen even after 3 months and that regeneration of the nerve during this period was minimal. Evidence of slight regeneration seen at 90 days could be due to periods of awaking of the animals during their natural hibernation cycle. In these animals HRP deposits were seen only in the nerve distal to crush, i.e., between crush site and muscle. In the nonhibernating squirrels, axoplasmic flow was reestablished at the site of injury as early as 2 weeks after crush, and HRP could be detected in the spinal cord in motoneurons of the ipsilateral ventral horn at spinal levels L3 to L5. In one hibernating animal the peroneal nerve was crushed at the distal site (SNS) and also the spinal cord was injured by dropping a weight. After nerve crush and the spinal cord injury the hibernating state could not be maintained and the animal stayed awake 22 days. The time course of regeneration of the nerve in that animal was similar to that seen in nonhibernating squirrels. After nerve crush in nonhibernating animals, reaction product was also found in sensory cell bodies of dorsal root ganglia as well as in terminals in the substantia gelatinosa of the spinal cord at the same levels. Thus, the axonal transport occurs in hibernating and non-hibernating squirrels in both sensory and motor nerve fibers. The extensor muscle fibers of the hibernating squirrels showed substantial membrane depolarization 90 days after crush. Action potentials from these fibers could be obtained from 15 to 35 days only through stimulating the nerve segment distal to the crush. Stimulation of the proximal nerve segment did not evoke muscle activity. These results demonstrate that nerve regeneration was nearly abolished during hibernation and that blockade of axonal transport continued across a region of nerve crush for the duration of the hibernating period.

Ganglioside-induced acceleration of axonal transport following nerve crush injury in the rat

The role of gangliosides in the re-establishment of neuronal continuity was examined in rats whose peroneal nerve had been crushed by a standardized procedure. Neuronal continuity was determined by the ability of the nerve to transport horseradish peroxidase retrogradely back to the spinal cord. The number of retrogradely labeled neurons provided an index of the degree of axonal transport that was re-established. Comparison of ganglioside-treated animals with saline-treated controls showed that ganglioside treatment advanced the re-establishment of retrograde axonal transport by 3 days.

Brainstem projections of sensory and motor components of the vagus nerve in the rat

The sensory and motor connections of the cervical vagus nerves and of its inferior ganglion (nodose ganglion) have been traced in the medulla and upper cervical spinal cord of 16 male Wistar rats by using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) neurohistochemistry. The use of tetramethyl benzidine (TMB) as the substrate for HRP permitted the visualization of transganglionic and retrograde transport in sensory nerve terminals and perikarya, respectively. The vagus nerve in the rat enters the medulla in numerous fascicles with points of entry covering the entire lateral aspect of the medulla extending from level +4 to -6 mm rostrocaudal to the obex. Fascicles of vagal sensory fibers enter the dorsolateral aspect of the medulla and travel to the tractus solitarius (TS) which was labeled for over 8.8 mm in the medulla. The caudal extent of the TS receiving vagal projections was found in lamina V of the cervical spinal cord (C1 to C2). Sensory terminal fields could be visualized bilaterally in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (nTS), area postrema (ap) and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (dmnX). The ipsilateral projection to the nTS and the dmnX was heavier than that found on the contralateral side. The area postrema was intensely labeled on both sides. Motor fibers from HRP-labeled perikarya in the dmnX travel ventromedially in a distinct fascicle and subsequently subdivide into a number of small fiber bundles that traverse the medullary reticular formation in the form of a fine network of HRP-labeled fibers. As these fibers from the dmnX approach the ventrolateral aspect of the medulla they are joined by axons from the nucleus ambiguus (nA), nucleus retroambigualis (nRA) and the retrofacial nucleus (nRF). These latter fibers form hairpin loops in the middle of the reticular formation to accompany the axons from the dmnX exiting from the medulla in a ventrolateral location. HRP-labeled perikarya, in contrast to transganglionically transported HRP in sensory terminals in the nTS, were visualized on one side only, thus indicating that motor control via the vagus nerve is exerted only by motor neurons located ipsilaterally. Sensory information on the other hand, diverges to many nuclear subgroups located on both sides of the medulla.

Differential uptake of peroxidase (HRP) and peroxidase-lectin (HRP-WGA) conjugate injected in the nodose ganglion of the cat

A comparison was made of the uptake and consequent axonal transport of peroxidase and peroxidase-lectin conjugate injected in low concentrations (0.167%) in the nodose ganglion of cats. At the light microscopic level horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) intensely labeled only central terminal fields of vagal afferents (anterograde), while free HRP only labeled perikarya in vagal motor nuclei (passing retrograde). Low concentrations of these proteins, in addition to normal diffusion equilibria, permit a differential distribution of those species demonstrating some affinity for cell membranes. We attribute these differences in the uptake of HRP and HRP-WGA to the selective affinity of WGA for cell surface receptors (n-acetyl glucosamine) on the plasma membrane. This results in a greater number of WGA molecules coupled to HRP being internalized in any given endocytotic event compared to free HRP. The fractionation of efferent and passing fiber populations within a nodosal injection site can be discriminated with these different preparations.

Neurohistochemical methods in tracing central respiratory mechanisms

Neurohistochemical methods using the retrograde and transganglionic transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) have been used to examine differences in the topographic representation in the brainstem of airway stretch receptors in the extrathoracic trachea and intrathoracic trachea of the cat. HRP neurohistochemistry has also been used to trace connections between brainstem respiratory nuclei, e.g., the inspiratory region of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (nTS). Microiontophoretic deposits of HRP in functionally homogeneous neuronal populations of the medulla, the inspiratory neuronal group of the ventrolateral nTS, permit the examination of specific anatomical projections; distinct differences between the subnuclei of the nTS receiving projections from the extrathoracic and intrathoracic trachea could be identified. The afferents from the extrathoracic trachea (trachealis muscle stretch receptors) terminate in the main inspiratory subnucleus of the nTS, the ventrolateral nTS, whereas an identical region of the intrathoracic trachea sends its afferents to the dorsolateral nTS. The possible functional effects of such topographic differences are discussed. The inspiratory neuronal population in the ventrolateral nTS receives afferent projections from the contralateral rostral ventrolateral medulla. These afferent projections originate in a recently identified location in the rostral end of the nucleus ambiguous lying ventral to the retrofacial nucleus. This region has been identified as a site for respiratory related activity, which is expiratory in nature and anatomically distinct from the nucleus ambiguus and the retrofacial nucleus. This region has been identified as the Bötzinger complex, which corresponds to a collection of expiratory neurons in the rostral medulla.

Carotid sinus nerve projections to the brain stem in the cat

The distribution of carotid sinus nerve (CNS) afferent and efferent fibers in the brain stem was examined in eight cats using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) neurohistochemistry. The transganglionic transport of HRP yielded dense extraperikaryal labeling within the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (nTS). Labeling was also present in the area postrema (ap) and in the region of the nucleus ambiguus (nA). The nTS labeling was bilateral, the ipsilateral side being more intense. Within the nTS, the labeling was not uniform, being heaviest in the dorsal, dorsolateral and commissural subnuclei. Moderate labeling was seen in the ventrolateral nTS. In the region of the obex, HRP labeled fibers could be followed from the nTS to the region of the nA, where extraperikaryal labeling could be seen. HRP labeled perikarya were found in the rostral pole of nA. In two controls, the CSN was sectioned close to its junction to the glossopharyngeal nerve just prior to HRP injection. In both cases, no labeling was found in either the petrosal ganglion or brain stem.

Brain stem localization of vagal preganglionic neurons

The central distribution of vagal preganglionic neurons has been examined using the retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). In 27 adult cats, the entire vagus nerve was exposed to HRP. In 13 other cats we examined the brain stem following microinjections of HRP (10 microliter) into individual visceral organs - lung, heart and stomach. Comparison of individual cases led to the conclusion that different patterns exist for each visceral organ. The preganglionic (parasympathetic) innervation of the entire vagus nerve arises from the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (dmnX), nucleus ambiguus (nA), nucleus retroambigualis (nRA), nucleus dorso-medialis (ndm), spinal nucleus of the accessory (nspA) and from the reticular formation between the dmnX and nA. Axons arising from the nA do not traverse the medulla laterally; rather they are initially directed dorso-medially toward the dmnX where they bend at right angles and accompany axons of neurons in the dmnX. The motor nuclei innervating the lungs, heart and stomach are dmnX, the nA and nRA: the dmnX contributes fibers to the heart, lungs and stomach from a region of 10 mm of medulla rostrocaudally; the nA contributes efferents to the 3 viscera studied from the entire 6 mm contributing vagal efferents; the nRA contributes efferents to the stomach in addition to providing innervation to the larynx and trachea (see 19). The area postrema (ap) receives afferent input from the lungs, heart and stomach, as indicated by extraperikaryal grains of HRP reaction product resulting from transganglionically transported HRP (through the ganglion nodosum). Sensory terminal labeling in the various subnuclei of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (nTS) was also examined and it was found that no specific region of the medulla is devoted to receiving input from any one visceral organ; rather the rostro-caudal extent of vagal afferent terminals in the medulla spans the entire length of the medulla. Differences between the central representation of different viscera seemed to lie within the organization of the nuclear subgroups of the nTS.

Brain stem projections of sensory and motor components of the vagus complex in the cat: I. The cervical vagus and nodose ganglion

The motor and sensory connections of the cervical vagus nerve and of its inferior ganglion (nodose ganglion) have been traced in the medulla oblongata of 32 adult cats with the neuroanatomical methods of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) histochemistry and amino acid autoradiography (ARG). In 14 of these subjects, an aqueous solution of HRP was applied unilaterally to the central end of the severed cervical vagus nerve. In 13 other cases, HRP was injected directly into the nodose ganglion. Three of these 13 subjects had undergone infranodose vagotomy 6 weeks prior to the HRP injection. A mixture of tritiated amino acid was injected into the nodose ganglion in five additional cats. The retrograde transport of HRP yielded reaction product in nerve fibers and perikarya of parasympathetic and somatic motoneurons in the medulla oblongata. Furthermore, a tetramethyl benzidine (TMB) method for visualizing HRP enabled the demonstration of anterograde and transganglionic transport, so that central sensory connections of the nodose ganglion and of the vagus nerve could also be traced. The central distribution of silver grain following injections of tritiated amino acids in the nodose ganglion corresponded closely with the distribution of sensory projections demonstrated with HRP, thus confirming the validity of HRP histochemistry as a method for tracing these projections. The histochemical and autoradiographic experiments showed that the vagus nerve enters the medulla from its lateral aspect in multiple fascicles and that it contains three major components--axons of preganglionic parasympathetic neurones, axons of skeletal motoneurons, and central processes of the sensory neurons in the nodose ganglion. Retrogradely labeled neurons were seen in the dorsal motor nucleus of X(dmnX), the nucleus ambiguus (nA), the nucleus retroambigualis (nRA), the nucleus dorsomedialis (ndm) and the spinal nucleus of the accessory nerve (nspA). The axons arising from motoneurons in the nA did not traverse the medulla directly laterally; rather, all of these axons were initially directed dorsomedially toward the dmnX, where they formed a hairpin loop and then accompanied the axons of dmnX neurons to their points of exit. Afferent fibers in the vagus nerve reached most of the subnuclei of the nTS bilaterally, with the more intense labeling being found on the ipsilateral side. Labeling of sensory vagal projections was also found in the area postrema of both sides and around neurons of the dmnX. These direct sensory projections terminating within the dmnX may provide an anatomical substrate for vagally mediated monosynpatic reflexes. Following deefferentiation by infranodose vagotomy 6 weeks prior to HRP injections into the nodose ganglion, a number of neurons in the dmnX were still intensely labeled with the HRP reaction product. The axons of these HRP-labeled perikarya may constitute the bulbar component of the accessory nerve.

Brain stem projections of the aortic nerve in the cat: a study using tetramethyl benzidine as the substrate for horseradish peroxidase

The intra-axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) has been used to trace the nodose ganglion and brain stem projections of a physiologically distinct nerve - the aortic depressor nerve - following electrophysiological identification. Tetramethyl benzidine (TMB) has been used as the substrate for demonstrating the centrally transported HRP15, 16. This sensitive method for horseradish peroxidase histochemistry has permitted the visualization of the central projections of aortic nerve afferents and has also provided information regarding the anatomical localization of cell bodies of these sensory nerve fibers within the nodose ganglion. This study demonstrates the usefulness of using TMB as a substrate for HRP histochemistry in anatomical studies where the detection of anterogradely transported HRP is an essential prerequisite. The uptake of HRP from the cut central ends of sensory nerve fibers and the transport of this enzyme to the sensory ganglion and subsequently into the central processes of these sensory neurons have made possible this study of the central projections of a functionally distinct peripheral nerve. Information has been provided by this study that cell bodies of aortic nerve afferent fibers are localized in the rostrolateral pole of the nodose ganglion. Dense central projections of sensory terminals of aortic afferents have been found in the dorsolateral and medial subdivisions of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius. These central projections of aortic afferents extend for 6 mm rostrocaudally in the medulla with the densest projection being found at the level of the obex. These projections are bilateral at all rostrocaudal levels. This anatomical demonstration of the dorsolateral and medial subdivisions of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius confirms earlier reports based on electrophysiological studies. Of particular interest in this study is the new observation that there exists a dense projection of aortic nerve afferents to the area postrema. The possible physiological implications of a direct input of peripheral chemoreceptor afferents to a region of central chemosensitivity are discussed. The complete absence of any retrogradely labeled cell body in the brain stem from exposure of the aortic nerve to horseradish peroxidase is noteworthy. This indicates that the aortic nerve is purely afferent in function and that reflex control of afferent activity in the aortic nerve is not mediated by brain stem neurons projecting down the same nerve.

Tissue culture of adult human neurons

Dissociated neurons from adult human trigeminal and superior cervical ganglia were cultured in vitro for more than 2 months. Immediately after dissociation by incubation in 0.06% collagenase for 15--18 h, the cultures consisted of single neurons or clumps of neurons and degenerating fragments of myelinated or non-myelinated axons. After 7--10 days, bipolar Schwann cells, large neurons and fine nerve fibers were observed. Electron microscopic examination of these neurons revealed all the ultrastructural features of healthy adult neurons including those of lipofuscin pigments. By electrophysiological technique, extracellular recording to action potentials generated by these neurons were obtained indicating the neurons were alive and healthy. The availability of adult human neurons in culture should provide a model system for investigation related to the pathomechanism of lipofuscin formation and aging in general.