Organization of serotoninergic projections from the raphé nuclei to the anterior thalamic nuclei in the rat: a combined retrograde tracing and 5-HT immunohistochemical study

Comprehensive topographical map of the serotonergic fibers in the male mouse brain

It is well established that serotonergic fibers distribute throughout the brain. Abnormal densities or patterns of serotonergic fibers have been implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders. Although many classical studies have examined the distribution pattern of serotonergic fibers, most of them were either limited to specific brain areas or had limitations in demonstrating the fine axonal morphology. In this study, we utilize male mice expressing green fluorescence protein under the serotonin transporter (SERT) promoter to map the topography of serotonergic fibers across the rostro-caudal extent of each brain area. We demonstrate previously unreported regional density and fine-grained anatomy of serotonergic fibers. Our findings include: (a) SERT fibers distribute abundantly in the thalamic nuclei close to the midline and dorsolateral areas, in most of the hypothalamic nuclei with few exceptions such as the median eminence and arcuate nuclei, and within the basal amygdaloid complex and lateral septal nuclei, (b) the source fibers of innervation of the hippocampus traverse through the septal nuclei before reaching its destination, (c) unique, filamentous type of straight terminal fibers within the nucleus accumbens, (d) laminar pattern of innervation in the hippocampus, olfactory bulb and cortex with heterogenicity in innervation density among the layers, (e) cortical labeling density gradually decreases rostro-caudally, (f) fibers traverse and distribute mostly within the gray matter, leaving the white fiber bundles uninnervated, and (g) most of the highly labeled nuclei and cortical areas have predominant anatomical connection to limbic structures. In conclusion, we provide novel, regionally specific insights on the distribution map of serotonergic fibers using transgenic mouse.

The anterior thalamic nuclei and nucleus reuniens: So similar but so different

Two thalamic sites are of especial significance for understanding hippocampal - diencephalic interactions: the anterior thalamic nuclei and nucleus reuniens. Both nuclei have dense, direct interconnections with the hippocampal formation, and both are directly connected with many of the same cortical and subcortical areas. These two thalamic sites also contain neurons responsive to spatial stimuli while lesions within these two same areas can disrupt spatial learning tasks that are hippocampal dependent. Despite these many similarities, closer analysis reveals important differences in the details of their connectivity and the behavioural impact of lesions in these two thalamic sites. These nuclei play qualitatively different roles that largely reflect the contrasting relative importance of their medial frontal cortex interactions (nucleus reuniens) compared with their retrosplenial, cingulate, and mammillary body interactions (anterior thalamic nuclei). While the anterior thalamic nuclei are critical for multiple aspects of hippocampal spatial encoding and performance, nucleus reuniens contributes, as required, to aid cognitive control and help select correct from competing memories.

Will imaging individual raphe nuclei in males with major depressive disorder enhance diagnostic sensitivity and specificity?

BACKGROUND

Positron emission tomography (PET) studies in major depressive disorder (MDD) have reported higher serotonin 1A (5-HT_1A ) autoreceptor binding in the raphe. In males, the difference is so large that it can potentially be used as the first biological marker for MDD. However, the raphe includes several nuclei, which project to different regions of the brain and spinal cord and may be differentially involved in disease. We aimed to identify 5-HT_1A differences in individual raphe nuclei using PET in order to determine whether use of subnuclei would provide greater sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing MDD.

METHODS

We identified individual nuclei using a hybrid set-level technique on an average [¹¹ C]-WAY100635 PET image derived from 52 healthy volunteers (HV). We delineated three nuclei: dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), median raphe nucleus (MRN), and raphe magnus (RMg). An atlas image of these nuclei was created and nonlinearly warped to each subject (through an associated MRI) in a separate sample of 41 males (25 HV, 16 MDD) who underwent [¹¹ C]-WAY100635 PET.

RESULTS

5-HT_1A binding was elevated in DRN in MDD (P < .01), and was not different in the RMg and MRN between groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that combining DRN and MRN produces highest sensitivity (94%) and specificity (84%) to identify MDD.

CONCLUSION

In agreement with postmortem studies, we found higher 5-HT_1A autoreceptor binding in MDD selectively in the DRN. 5-HT_1A autoreceptor binding in the combined DRN and MRN is a better biomarker for MDD than in the raphe as a whole.

Serotonin versus catecholamine deficiency: behavioral and neural effects of experimental depletion in remitted depression

Despite immense efforts into development of new antidepressant drugs, the increases of serotoninergic and catecholaminergic neurotransmission have remained the two major pharmacodynamic principles of current drug treatments for depression. Consequently, psychopathological or biological markers that predict response to drugs that selectively increase serotonin and/or catecholamine neurotransmission hold the potential to optimize the prescriber's selection among currently available treatment options. The aim of this study was to elucidate the differential symptomatology and neurophysiology in response to reductions in serotonergic versus catecholaminergic neurotransmission in subjects at high risk of depression recurrence. Using identical neuroimaging procedures with [(18)F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography after tryptophan depletion (TD) and catecholamine depletion (CD), subjects with remitted depression were compared with healthy controls in a double-blind, randomized, crossover design. Although TD induced significantly more depressed mood, sadness and hopelessness than CD, CD induced more inactivity, concentration difficulties, lassitude and somatic anxiety than TD. CD specifically increased glucose metabolism in the bilateral ventral striatum and decreased glucose metabolism in the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex, whereas TD specifically increased metabolism in the right prefrontal cortex and the posterior cingulate cortex. Although we found direct associations between changes in brain metabolism and induced depressive symptoms following CD, the relationship between neural activity and symptoms was less clear after TD. In conclusion, this study showed that serotonin and catecholamines have common and differential roles in the pathophysiology of depression.

Thalamic neuromodulation and its implications for executive networks

The thalamus is a key structure that controls the routing of information in the brain. Understanding modulation at the thalamic level is critical to understanding the flow of information to brain regions involved in cognitive functions, such as the neocortex, the hippocampus, and the basal ganglia. Modulators contribute the majority of synapses that thalamic cells receive, and the highest fraction of modulator synapses is found in thalamic nuclei interconnected with higher order cortical regions. In addition, disruption of modulators often translates into disabling disorders of executive behavior. However, modulation in thalamic nuclei such as the midline and intralaminar groups, which are interconnected with forebrain executive regions, has received little attention compared to sensory nuclei. Thalamic modulators are heterogeneous in regards to their origin, the neurotransmitter they use, and the effect on thalamic cells. Modulators also share some features, such as having small terminal boutons and activating metabotropic receptors on the cells they contact. I will review anatomical and physiological data on thalamic modulators with these goals: first, determine to what extent the evidence supports similar modulator functions across thalamic nuclei; and second, discuss the current evidence on modulation in the midline and intralaminar nuclei in relation to their role in executive function.

Serotonergic projections and serotonin receptor expression in the reticular nucleus of the thalamus in the rat

The reticular nucleus (RT) of the thalamus, a thin sheet of GABAergic neurons located between the external medullary lamina and the internal capsule of the thalamus, has functionally distinct afferent and efferent connections with thalamic nuclei, the neocortex, the basal forebrain and the brainstem. RT is critically positioned to rhythmically pace thalamocortical networks leading to the generation of spindle activity during the early phases of sleep and during absence (spike-wave) seizures. Serotonin, acting on 5-HT(1A) receptors on parvalbumin-containing cells of RT, has been implicated in this rhythmicity. However, the precise source(s) of 5-HT afferents to the RT remains to be determined. In the present study, we injected the retrograde tracer, Fluorogold, into dorsal and ventral regions of RT to determine the origins of raphe input to RT. We further characterized the distribution of 5-HT fibers to RT by using immunohistochemistry for 5-HT and for the 5HT transporter (SERT) detection. Finally, we described the presence of the two major postsynaptic 5-HT receptors in RT, 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2A) receptors. Our results show that the dorsal raphe nucleus and the supralemniscal nucleus (B9) of the midbrain are the principal sources of raphe projections to RT. In addition, serotonergic fibers (5-HT and SERT positive) were richly distributed throughout RT, and 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2A) receptors were highly expressed on RT neurons and dendrites. These findings suggest a significant 5-HT modulatory influence on GABAergic neurons of RT in the control of rhythmical (or spindle) activity in thalamocortical systems directly associated with sleep and possibly with absence seizures.

Profiles of serotonin receptors in the developing human thalamus

The critical importance of the thalamus and its serotonergic innervation with respect to neuropsychiatric syndromes is increasingly recognized. This study investigates the localization of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) receptors by immunohistochemistry in the thalamic nuclei of human fetuses aged 21 to 32 weeks of gestation. Results indicate that, already at 21 weeks of gestation, two 5-HT receptors are present in the dorsomedial nucleus of the developing thalamus: 5-HT2A receptors are localized in neurons and 5-HT2C receptors in fibers. By 31 and 32 weeks of gestation, 5-HT1A and 5-HT4 receptors are also detected in neuronal fibers of the same nucleus. At this later developmental stage, the percentage of 5-HT2A labeled neurons has significantly increased in the dorsomedial nucleus, and 5-HT2C positive neurons are observed in the centromedian and lateroventral thalamic nuclei as well. In contrast, neither neuronal cells nor fibers display any immunoreactivity for 5-HT3 or 5-HT6 receptors at any of the ages examined. Our observation that 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C and 5-HT4 receptors are present in the human thalamus prenatally indicates that 5-HT may play a role during fetal development. Disrupted development of the thalamic serotonergic system during this gestational period may contribute to the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Pattern of distribution of serotonergic fibers to the thalamus of the rat

It is well established that serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) fibers, mainly originating from the dorsal and median raphe nuclei of the brainstem, distribute throughout the forebrain, most heavily to 'limbic' forebrain structures. Few reports have examined the distribution of 5-HT fibers to the thalamus and none to our knowledge using immunoprocedures for the detection of the serotonin transporter (SERT)-a very sensitive marker for 5-HT fibers. Using immunohistochemical methods for SERT, we examined the pattern of distribution of 5-HT fibers to the thalamus in the rat. We show that serotonergic fibers are heavily concentrated in midline, intralaminar and association nuclei of the thalamus, and with the exception of the lateral geniculate complex, weakly distributed to principal nuclei of thalamus. Specifically, we demonstrate that 5-HT fibers are densely concentrated in the anteroventral, anteromedial and interanteromedial nuclei of the anterior thalamus, the paraventricular, rhomboid and reuniens nuclei of the midline thalamus, the central medial and central lateral nuclei of the intralaminar thalamus, the intermediodorsal nucleus, the lateral dorsal nucleus, and the dorsal and ventral lateral geniculate nuclei and intergeniculate leaflet of the LGN complex. Less densely innervated sites include the mediodorsal, paracentral, parafascicular, lateral posterior and submedial nuclei of thalamus. Remaining regions of the thalamus, largely consisting of principal nuclei, contained few 5-HT fibers. This pattern of 5-HT innervation indicates that serotonin/ serotonergic fibers mainly affect thalamic nuclei with connections to 'non-principal' or limbic regions of the cortex (or forebrain). This suggests that serotonergic fibers to the thalamus may exert a significant influence on affective and cognitive functions, possibly complementing the actions of 5-HT fibers to other parts of the brain involved in emotional and cognitive behaviors.

Differences in response to serotonergic activation between first and higher order thalamic nuclei

Two types of thalamic nuclei have been recognized: first order, which relay information from subcortical sources, and higher order, which may relay information from one cortical area to another. We have recently shown that muscarinic agonists depolarize all first order and most higher order relay cells but hyperpolarize a significant proportion of higher order relay cells. We now extend this result to serotonergic agonists, using rat thalamic brain slices and whole-cell, current- and voltage-clamp recordings from relay cells in various first order (the lateral geniculate nucleus, the ventral posterior nucleus, and the ventral portion of the medial geniculate body) and higher order nuclei (the lateral posterior, the posterior medial nucleus, and the dorsal portion of the medial geniculate body). Similar to the effects of muscarinic agonists, we found that first and most higher order relay cells were depolarized by serotonergic agonists, but 15% of higher order relay cells responded with hyperpolarization. Thus different subsets of higher order relay cells are hyperpolarized by these modulatory systems, which could have implications for the transfer of information between cortical areas.

Serotonin-1A autoreceptor binding in the dorsal raphe nucleus of depressed suicides

Serotonergic dysfunction is present in mood disorders and suicide. Brainstem 5-HT1A somatodendritic autoreceptors regulate serotonin neuron firing but studies of autoreceptor binding in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) in depressed suicides report conflicting results. We sought to determine: (1) the anatomical distribution of 5-HT1A receptor binding in the DRN in depressed suicides and psychiatrically normal controls; and (2) whether sex differences in 5-HT1A binding in the DRN contribute to differences between depressed suicides and controls. Previously collected quantitative receptor autoradiograms of [3H]8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propyl)aminotetralin (3H-8-OH-DPAT) in postmortem tissue sections containing the DRN from drug-free suicide victims (n=10) and matched controls (n=10) were analyzed. Less total receptor binding (fmol/mg tissuexmm3) was observed in the entire DRN in depressed suicides compared with controls (p<0.05). Group differences along the rostrocaudal extent of the DRN were observed for cross-sectional 5-HT(1A) binding (fmol/mg tissue) and receptor binding (fmol/mgxmm3, p<0.05). Cross-sectional 5-HT1A DRN binding in depressed suicides compared with controls was higher rostrally and lower caudally. The differences between depressed suicides and controls were present in males and females, although females had more binding than males. Less autoreceptor binding in the DRN of depressed suicides may represent a homeostatic response to less serotonin release, increasing serotonin neuron firing. More autoreceptor binding in rostral DRN might contribute to deficient serotonin release in ventromedial prefrontal cortex by lower neuronal firing.

5-ht5BReceptor mRNA in the raphe nuclei: Coexpression with serotonin transporter

We used double-label in situ hybridization to examine the cellular localization of 5-ht(5B) receptor mRNA in relation to serotonin transporter mRNA in the rat dorsal raphe (DR) and central superior nucleus (CS, median raphe nucleus). 5-ht(5B) receptor mRNA hybridization signal was often found on serotonin transporter mRNA-positive neuron profiles. The degree of cellular colocalization of these mRNAs notably varied among the different regions of the raphe nuclei. In the DR, cell bodies showing 5-ht(5B) receptor mRNA expression were abundant in the medial portions of the nucleus, all of them being also labeled for serotonin transporter mRNA. In contrast, in the ventrolateral regions (lateral wings) of the DR, we observed serotonin transporter mRNA-positive cells, but they were devoid of 5-ht(5B) receptor mRNA signal. In the CS, the level of coexpression of 5-ht(5B) receptor mRNA with serotonin transporter mRNA was high in the intermediate portions of the nucleus; however, we were unable to detect specific 5-ht(5B) receptor mRNA hybridization signal in its caudal extent. Our results support the presence of 5-ht(5B) receptor in serotonergic neurons in the DR and CS, suggesting an autoreceptor role for this receptor subtype.

Diurnal variation of c-Fos expression in subdivisions of the dorsal raphe nucleus of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

Recent studies suggest that the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) of the brainstem contains several subdivisions that differ both anatomically and neurochemically. The present study examined whether variation of c-Fos expression across the 24-hour light-dark cycle may also be different in these subdivisions. Animals were kept on a 12:12 light-dark cycle, were perfused at seven different time points, and brain sections were processed by using c-Fos immunocytochemistry. At all coronal levels of the DRN, c-Fos expression reached a peak 1 hour after the light-dark transition (lights-off) and reached its lowest levels in the middle of the light period. In contrast to the light-dark transition, c-Fos levels did not change significantly after the dark-light transition (lights-on). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the diurnal variation of c-Fos expression was highly significant in the caudal ventral DRN. Similar variation in c-Fos expression also was observed in the other DRN subdivisions, but this variation appeared to gradually diminish in the caudal-to-rostral and ventromedial-to-dorsomedial directions. Double-label immunocytochemistry revealed that, 1 hour after lights-off, only 11% of c-Fos-positive neurons in the caudal ventral DRN were serotonin (5-HT)-immunoreactive. These results suggest that DRN subdivisions may differ functionally with regard to the diurnal cycle, and that these differences may be reflected in the activity of nonserotonergic cells in the DRN.

Active locomotion increases peak firing rates of anterodorsal thalamic head direction cells

Head direction (HD) cells discharge selectively in macaques, rats, and mice when they orient their head in a specific ("preferred") direction. Preferred directions are influenced by visual cues as well as idiothetic self-motion cues derived from vestibular, proprioceptive, motor efferent copy, and command signals. To distinguish the relative importance of active locomotor signals, we compared HD cell response properties in 49 anterodorsal thalamic HD cells of six male Long-Evans rats during active displacements in a foraging task as well as during passive rotations. Since thalamic HD cells typically stop firing if the animals are tightly restrained, the rats were trained to remain immobile while drinking water distributed at intervals from a small reservoir at the center of a rotatable platform. The platform was rotated in a clockwise/counterclockwise oscillation to record directional responses in the stationary animals while the surrounding environmental cues remained stable. The peak rate of directional firing decreased by 27% on average during passive rotations (r(2) = 0.73, P < 0.001). Individual cells recorded in sequential sessions (n = 8) reliably showed comparable reductions in peak firing, but simultaneously recorded cells did not necessarily produce identical responses. All of the HD cells maintained the same preferred directions during passive rotations. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the level of locomotor activity provides a state-dependent modulation of the response magnitude of AD HD cells. This could result from diffusely projecting neuromodulatory systems associated with motor state.

Role of dorsal raphe nucleus serotonin 5-HT1A receptor in the regulation of REM sleep

Cholinergic neurons in the laterodorsal (LDT) and the pedunculopontine (PPT) tegmental nuclei act to promote REM sleep (REMS). The predominantly glutamatergic neurons of the REMS-induction region of the medial pontine reticular formation are in turn activated by cholinergic cells, which results in the occurrence of tonic and phasic components of REMS. All these neurons are inhibited by serotonergic (5-HT), noradrenergic, and presumably histaminergic (H2 receptor) and dopaminergic (D2 and D3 receptor) cells. 5-Hydroxytryptamine-containing neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) virtually cease firing when an animal starts REMS, consequently decreasing the release of 5-HT during this state. The activation of GABA(A) receptors is apparently responsible for this phenomenon. Systemic administration of the selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OHDPAT induces dose-dependent effects; i.e. low doses increase slow wave sleep and reduce waking, whereas large doses increase waking and reduce slow wave sleep and REM sleep. Direct injection of 8-OHDPAT or flesinoxan, another 5-HT1A agonist into the DRN, or microdialysis perfusion of 8-OHDPAT into the DRN significantly increases REMS. On the other hand, infusion of 8-OHDPAT into the LDT selectively inhibits REMS, as does direct administration into the DRN of the 5-HT1A receptor antagonists pindolol or WAY 100635. Thus, presently available evidence indicates that selective activation of the somatodendritic 5-HT1A receptor in the DRN induces an increase of REMS. On the other hand, activation of the postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor at the level of the PPT/LDT nuclei decreases REMS occurrence.

Topographic organization of serotonergic dorsal raphe neurons projecting to the superior colliculus in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

Recent evidence suggests that the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) of the brainstem is a collection of neuronal clusters having different neurochemical characteristics and efferent projection patterns. To gain further insight into the neuroanatomic organization of the DRN, neuronal populations projecting to the superior colliculus (SC) were mapped in a highly visual rodent, the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). Retrograde tracers Fluoro-Gold (FG) or cholera toxin subunit-B (CTB) were injected into the superficial layers of the SC, and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) -positive cells were identified by using immunocytochemistry in the FG-injected animals. Based on its projections to the SC, the DRN was divided into five rostrocaudal levels. In the rostral and middle levels of the DRN, virtually all FG-filled cells occurred in the lateral DRN, and 36-55% of 5-HT-immunoreactive (5-HT-ir) cells were also double-labeled with FG. Caudally, FG-filled cells occurred in the lateral, ventromedial, and interfascicular DRN; and 44, 12, and 31% of 5-HT-ir cells, respectively, were also FG-filled. The dorsomedial DRN contained only a small proportion of FG-filled cells at its most caudal level and was completely devoid of FG-filled cells more rostrally. The CTB-injected animals showed a similar distribution of retrogradely labeled cells in the DRN. Topographically, the dorsal tegmental nucleus and the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus appeared to be closely associated with 5-HT-ir cells in the caudal DRN. These results suggest that the lateral DRN and the ventromedial/interfascicular DRN may be anatomically, morphologically, and neurochemically unique subdivisions of the gerbil DRN.

The ascending serotonergic system in the hamster: comparison with projections of the dorsal and median raphe nuclei

The ascending serotonergic projections are derived largely from the midbrain median and dorsal raphe nuclei, and contribute to the regulation of many behavioral and physiological systems. Serotonergic innervation of the hamster circadian system has been shown to be substantially different from earlier results obtained with other methods and species. The present study was conducted to determine whether similar differences are observed in other brain regions. Ascending projections from the hamster dorsal or median raphe were identified using an anterograde tracer, Phaseolus vulgans leucoagglutinin, injected by iontophoresis into each nucleus. Brains were processed for tracer immunoreactivity, and drawings were made of the median raphe and dorsal raphe efferent projection patterns. The efferents were also compared to the distribution of normal serotonergic innervation of the hamster midbrain and forebrain. The results show widespread, overlapping projection patterns from both the median and dorsal raphe, with innervation generally greater from the dorsal raphe. In several brain regions, including parts of the pretectum, lateral geniculate and basal forebrain, nuclei are innervated by the dorsal, but not the median, raphe. The hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus is the only site innervated exclusively by the median and not by the dorsal raphe. The pattern of normal serotonin fiber and terminal distribution is generally more robust than would be inferred from the anterograde tracer material. However, there is good qualitative similarity between the two sets of data. The oculomotor nucleus and the medial habenula are unusual to the extent that each has a moderately dense serotonin terminal plexus, although neither receives innervation from the median or dorsal raphe. In contrast, the centrolateral thalamic nucleus and lateral habenula have little serotonergic innervation, but receive substantial other neural input from the raphe nuclei. The normal serotonergic innervation of the hamster brain is similar to that in the rat, although there are exceptions. The anterograde tracing of ascending median or dorsal raphe projections reveals a high, but imperfect, degree of correspondence with the serotonin innervation data, and with data from rats derived from immunohistochemical and autoradiographic tract-tracing techniques.

Glutamate/aspartate and leu-enkephalin immunoreactivity in mammillothalamic projection neurons of the rat

We have used retrograde transport and immunohistochemistry to study glutamate, aspartate, and enkephalin-like immunoreactive pathways from the mammillary nuclei to the anterior nuclei of the thalamus. Injections of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase into the anterodorsal thalamic nucleus resulted in retrogradely labelled cell bodies in the lateral mammillary nucleus, bilaterally, whereas injections into the anteroventral thalamic nucleus resulted in retrogradely labelled neurons in the ipsilateral medial mammillary nucleus. In three parallel series of sections immunoreacted for glutamate, aspartate, and enkephalin, respectively, 50-60% of the retrogradely labelled cell bodies were also immunolabelled for glutamate, 50-60% for aspartate, and 40-50% for enkephalin. The enkephalin-immunoreactive neurons may coincide with or constitute a separate population from the glutamate/aspartate-containing neurons. These results are compatible with the possibility that mammillothalamic projection neurons may use glutamate and/or aspartate and enkephalin as neurotransmitters.

Ovarian steroids and serotonin neural function

The serotonin neural system originates from ten nuclei in the mid- and hindbrain regions. The cells of the rostral nuclei project to almost every area of the forebrain, including the hypothalamus, limbic regions, basal ganglia, thalamic nuclei, and cortex. The caudal nuclei project to the spinal cord and interact with numerous autonomic and sensory systems. This article reviews much of the available literature from basic research and relevant clinical research that indicates that ovarian steroid hormones, estrogens and progestins, affect the function of the serotonin neural system. Experimental results in nonhuman primates from this laboratory are contrasted with studies in rodents and humans. The sites of action of ovarian hormones on the serotonin neural system include effects within serotonin neurons as well as effects on serotonin afferent neurons and serotonin target neurons. Therefore, information on estrogen and progestin receptor-containing neurons was synthesized with information on serotonin afferent and efferent circuits. The ability of estrogens and progestins to alter the function of the serotonin neural system at various levels provides a cellular mechanism whereby ovarian hormones can impact mood, cognition, pain, and numerous other autonomic functions.

Regional distribution of 5-HT transporters in the brain of wild type and 'Purkinje cell degeneration' mutant mice: a quantitative autoradiographic study with [3H]citalopram

The neurological mutant 'Purkinje cell degeneration' (pcd) is characterized by a primary degeneration of Purkinje cells, as well as by retrograde and secondary partial degeneration of cerebellar granule cells and inferior olivary neurons, and can be considered as an animal model of human degenerative ataxias. The serotonin (5-HT) innervation was examined in wild type and pcd mice, by quantifying 5-HT uptake sites, or transporters, using [3H]citalopram binding autoradiography. In both wild type and pcd mutants, the highest densities of 5-HT transporters were in mesencephalic and rostral pontine regions, in limbic structures, in hypothalamus and in discrete thalamic divisions, while the lowest labelling was found in cerebellum and brainstem reticular formation. In pcd mice, although [3H]citalopram labelling was higher in cerebellar cortex and deep cerebellar nuclei, when binding densities were corrected for surface area, the up-regulation of 5-HT transporters was present only in deep cerebellar nuclei. Also, higher labelling was found in nuclei raphe dorsalis and medialis, in ventral divisions of rostral neostriatum, caudal neostriatum, rostral globus pallidus, posteromedial amygdaloid nucleus, septum, olfactory tubercles, vertical limb of Broca's diagonal band, periventricular, latero-ventral and medio-ventral thalamic nuclei, medial geniculate nucleus, anterior hypothalamus and entorhinal cortex. The results indicate a relative integrity of the 5-HT innervation, but with a reorganization of serotoninergic terminals in the cerebellum, in particular in the deep cerebellar nuclei. This suggests that in progressive cerebellar degeneration, as found in the pcd mutant, the modified 5-HT system may still participate in motor functions by exerting an overall modulation of excitatory amino acid neurotransmission, but the availability of 5-HT may be altered in defined brain targets, as is the case for other spontaneous cerebellar mutants, in particular for the 'Lurcher' mutant mouse, a model of human olivopontocerebellar atrophy.

Chemoarchitecture of the primate dorsal raphe nucleus

The dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) harbours the largest single collection of serotonin (5-HT)-containing neurons in the brain but also comprises other types of chemospecific neurons. The aim of the present study was to characterise morphologically and immunohistochemically the DR in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus). The morphology of the DR 5-HT-immunoreactive (ir) neurons was analysed and their distribution compared to that of neurons displaying immunoreactivity for either tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), substance P (SP), calbindin-D28k (CB), calretinin (CR) or parvalbumin (PV). The 5-HT-ir neurons were distributed in a highly heterogeneous manner throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the DR. The morphology and density of the 5-HT neurons were found to vary significantly in the major subdivisions of the primate DR, that is, the median, ventral, dorsal, ventrolateral, lateral and caudal subnuclei. Numerous SP-, GABA- and PV-ir neurons occurred in all six subnuclei of the DR. The distribution of SP-ir neurons was largely in register with that of 5-HT-ir neurons. Neurons expressing the other neuronal markers (TH, CB, CR) were not present in all six DR subnuclei and their distribution was either complementary to, or in register with, that of 5-HT-ir neurons. The median subnucleus was unique because it contained all the different types of chemospecific neurons. This study has revealed that the primate DR is chemically highly heterogeneous, a finding that may explain the multifarious influence that this nucleus exerts upon various forebrain structures.

The structural organization of connections between hypothalamus and cerebral cortex

Motivated behavior requires coordinated somatic, autonomic, and endocrine responses, and may be divided into initiation, procurement, and consummatory phases (Swanson, L.W. and Mogenson, G.J., Neural mechanisms for the functional coupling of autonomic, endocrine and somatomotor responses in adaptative behavior, Brain Res. Rev., 3 (1981) 1-34). Obviously, such behavior may involve the entire central nervous system, although it is important to identify circuitry or systems that mediate the behavior directed toward specific goal objects. This problem has recently been clarified by the identification of hypothalamic subsystems important for the execution of instinctive behaviors related to ingestion, reproduction, and defense. These subsystems are modulated by sensory (reflex), central control (e.g., circadian), and voluntary (cortical) inputs. The latter are dominated by inputs from the ventral temporal lobe and medial prefrontal region, which are both direct and via associated parts of the basal nuclei (ganglia). Hypothalamic output is characterized by descending projections to brainstem and spinal motor systems, and by projections back to the cerebral cortex, which are both direct and via a continuous rostromedial part of the dorsal thalamus. This thalamic region includes the anterior, medial, and midline groups, which in turn innervate a continuous ring of cortex that includes the hippocampal formation and the cingulate, prefrontal, and insular regions. Parts of this thalamic region also innervate the ventral striatum, which receives a massive input from the cortical rings as well.

Contrasting effects of systemic and intracerebral infusions of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT on spatial short-term working memory in rats

The present study compared the effects of systemic 8-OH-DPAT (0.05, 0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg) with intra-raphe and intra-hippocampal infusions of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (10, 30 100 ng) on delayed non-matching-to-position (DNMP) performance in rats. The highest dose of 8-OH-DPAT administered systemically impaired DNMP performance in a delay-independent manner, increased premature responding and increased response bias. Infusions of 8-OH-DPAT (100 ng) into the median raphe nucleus improved performance accuracy, independent of delay whilst having no effect on any other response measure. Infusions of 8-OH-DPAT into the dorsal raphe nucleus had no effect on performance at any dose tested. Infusions of 8-OH-DPAT into the dorsal hippocampus produced a small impairment in performance which was also independent of delay. However, this decrement in performance accuracy was not accompanied by any changes in other response measures. These findings demonstrate a dissociation between the effects of stimulation of pre- and post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors on performance of a DNMP task although the changes in performance cannot be accounted for by changes in mnemonic function.

Organisation of the reticular thalamic projection to the intralaminar and midline nuclei in rats

This study examines the projection of the reticular thalamic nucleus to the classic "nonspecific" dorsal thalamic nuclei of rats. Individual nuclei of the intralaminar (central-lateral, paracentral, central-medial, parafascicular) and the midline (reuniens/rhomboid, parataenial) nuclear groups, together with the reticular nucleus itself, were injected with the neuronal tracers biotinylated dextran or fluorescent latex microspheres (red or green). Reticular cells projecting to the intralaminar and midline nuclei are limited largely to the rostral pole of the nucleus. Within the rostral pole, most reticular cells projecting to the intralaminar and midline nuclear groups are found in largely distinct sectors; cells that project to the intralaminar nuclei tend to lie more laterally, whereas those projecting to the midline nuclei lie more medially within the pole. Among the individual nuclei of both the intralaminar and midline nuclear groups, however, the segregation is far less distinct. For instance, the reticular cells that project to the intralaminar central-lateral, central-medial, paracentral, and parafascicular nuclei are intermixed completely on the lateral edge of the rostral pole. After separate injections of different colored latex microspheres into individual intralaminar nuclei, the incidence of double-labelled reticular cells is about 37%, a percentage much higher than among the "specific" dorsal thalamic nuclei (< 1%). All the above-mentioned results refer to the reticular labelling seen on the side ipsilateral to the injection. After separate injections into the intralaminar central-medial nucleus, the midline nuclei, and the reticular nucleus itself, we also see a very small group of reticular cells labelled on the contralateral side. In general, our results indicate that the reticular projection to the intralaminar and midline nuclei is far more diffuse than the reticular projection to the specific dorsal thalamic nuclei.

Regional distribution of the 5-HT innervation in the brain of normal and lurcher mice as revealed by [3H]citalopram quantitative autoradiography

The neurological cerebellar mutant lurcher is characterized by a primary degeneration of Purkinje cells as well as retrograde secondary partial degeneration of cerebellar granule cells and inferior olivary neurons. Since serotonin (5-HT) has been implicated in the modulation of excitatory amino acid systems of the cerebellum, the 5-HT innervation of the normal and lurcher mice was examined by quantifying uptake sites using [3H]citalopram autoradiography, and by biochemical assays of the indoles 5-HT, 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid using high-performance liquid chromatography. Comparable results were found between [3H]citalopram binding and 5-HT tissue concentrations in different brain regions. The highest [3H]citaslopram labelling was observed in defined structures of the mesencephalic and upper pontine regions, in limbic strutures, in hypothalamus and in discrete thalamic divisions, while the lowest labelling of uptake sites was documented in cerebellum and brainstem reticular formation. In lurcher mutants, the histology confirmed cell degeneration and the reduction in width, leading to 65%, 45% and 25% atrophies of total cerebellum, deep nuclei and inferior olivary nucleus, respectively. The [3H]citalopram labelling corrected for surface loss was 45% and 20% higher to cerebellar deep nuclei and red nucleus, respectively, but remained unchanged in the cerebellar cortex and inferior olivary nucleus. Moreover, higher labelling was found in nucleus raphe dorsalis, ventral tegmental area, inferior colliculus, locus coeruleus, pontine central grey and anterior thalamic nuclei, areas known to be part of cerebellar afferent and efferent systems. The present results indicate that in such pathological conditions as described for the lurcher mutant, the 5-HT system may modulate motor function not only at the level of the cerebellum, but also in other forebrain structures functionally related to the motor system.

Cholinergic projections to the anterior thalamic nuclei in the rat: a combined retrograde tracing and choline acetyl transferase immunohistochemical study

Retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was combined with choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunohistochemistry to study cholinergic projections to the anterior thalamic nuclei in the rat. Small iontophoretic injections of HRP placed into different subdivisions of the anterior thalamic nuclear complex resulted in distinct patterns of retrograde labelling in two major cholinergic cell groups of the mesopontine tegmentum, the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDTg), in which a majority of the labelled cells was located, and the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPT). After injections into the posterior subdivision of the anteroventral thalamic nucleus (AVp), double-labelled neurons were present predominantly in the ipsilateral LDTg while a smaller number was found in the PPT. In the ipsilateral LDTg, 60-70% of ChAT-positive neurons were HRP-labelled, and 90-95% of the HRP-labelled neurons were ChAT-positive. In the contralateral LDTg, 30-40% of ChAT-positive neurons were HRP-labelled. After injections in the medial subdivision of the anteroventral thalamic nucleus (AVm), the pattern of labelling in LDTg was similar to that detected after injections in the AVp. The number of double-labelled neurons in the LDTg and PPT was much lower after injections into AVm than after injections into AVp. When injections were confined to the anterodorsal thalamic nucleus (AD), no HRP-labelled cells were present in the LDTg or PPT. These results show that the LDTg and PPT are the sources of the cholinergic input to the rat anterior thalamus. The major projection from LDTg and PPT is to the AVp, whereas there is a lighter cholinergic projection to the AVm. The AD does not receive a projection from cholinergic cells in the mesopontine tegmentum.