Connections of the median and dorsal raphe nuclei in the rat: An autoradiographic and degeneration study

Ascending and descending projections from the median and dorsal raphe nuclei of the midbrain were mapped in the albino rat, using reduced‐silver stains after lesions or the autoradiographic technique following injections of tritiated proline. In all major respects the two techniques gave the same results. The majority of the ascending projections sweep ventrally from the raphe nuclei, then curve rostrally to course through the ventral tegmentum and into the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). Others radiate through the mesencephalic reticular formation (RF) and central grey, turning ventrally at the posterior thalamic border to enter the subthalamus. From the MFB, fibers branch into the hypothalamus, preoptic areas, anterior amygdala and olfactory tubercle, while some fibers enter the fornix or the stria terminalis. Many fibers continue rostrally in the MFB, joining the diagonal bands of Broca to reach the septal nuclei or, further rostrally, the cingulum bundle. Fibers in the cingulum bundle turn caudally around the genu of the corpus callosum, some branching into the cell‐free layers of the pregenual cortex. Runing caudally, then curving around the splenium, the cingulum bundle projection sprays out into the subiculum and in some cases a projection into the hippocampus is seen. Other ascending projections include one to the habenular nuclei through the fasciculus retroflexus. Projections to the mediodorsal, parafascicular and reuniens nuclei of the thalamus were also noted. Descending projections were observed to the dorsal tegmental nucleus and locus coeruleus and diffusely to the pontine reticular formation and caudal central grey. No projections were seen below the level of the facial nerve nucleus and none were observed to the cerebellum, caudal raphe nuclei or cranial nerve nuclei.