Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 327, Issues 1–2, 18 February 1985, Pages 307-311
Brain Research

The frequency and distribution of medium-sized neurons with indented nuclei in the primate and rodent neostriatum

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(85)91524-0Get rights and content

Abstract

Nuclear morphology is known to distinguish two classes of medium-sized neurons in the neostriatum, spiny projection neurons which have an unindented nucleus and aspiny interneurons which exhibit enfoldings of their nuclear envelope. The frequency and distribution of medium-sized neostriatal neurons with indented nuclei were examined in the light microscope in semi-thick sections. Results showed that the proportion of neostriatal neurons with nuclear indentations was greater in the monkey (23%) than in the mouse and rat (4–5%). Also, nuclear enfoldings were found in more neurons of the monkey caudate than putamen, whereas in the rodent regional differences were not observed. Findings suggest that aspiny interneurons play a greater role in the integrative and functional organization of the neostriatum in the primate than in the rodent brain.

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    This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants NS 16367 (M.D.).

    *

    The assistance of Ms. Janice Carey and Ms. Kathleen Sullivan is greatly appreciated.

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