Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 455, Issue 1, 5 July 1988, Pages 88-98
Brain Research

A subpopulation of dopaminergic neurons in rat ventral mesencephalon contains both neurotensin and cholecystokinin

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Abstract

The coexistence of neuropeptides neurotensin and cholecystokinin and the catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase within neurons of the ventral mesencephalon was analyzed using an immunofluorescence triple-labeling technique. Virtually all of the neurotensin-positive cell bodies in the ventral tegmental area, medial substantia nigra pars compacta, retrorural field, and rostral and caudal linear raphe nuclei were found to contain both cholecystokinin and tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivities. The degree of colocalization was lower and more variable in other including the ventral and central periaqueductal grey matter and dorsal raphe nucleus. It appeared that immunoreactivities for these 3 neuroactive substances were not contained within the same axonal-like fibers and terminals in the ventral midbrain. These results demonstrate that a subpopulation of dopaminergic neurons, which presumably comprise part of the ascending mesotelencephalic system contains the two peptides neurotensin and cholecystokipin. Thus, the data suggest a morphological basis for some of the reported functional interactions of these 3 putative neurotransmitters/neuromodulators within this system.

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    *

    Present address: Department of Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, U.S.A.

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