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Calcitonin gene‐related peptide in afferents to the cat's cerebellar cortex: Distribution and origin
Author(s) -
Bishop Georgia A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.903220206
Subject(s) - calcitonin gene related peptide , cerebellum , mossy fiber (hippocampus) , biology , cerebellar cortex , neuropil , anatomy , vestibular nuclei , deep cerebellar nuclei , neuroscience , nucleus , pontine nuclei , central nervous system , neuropeptide , receptor , dentate gyrus , biochemistry
Abstract In the present study, the distribution and origin of calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) were analyzed in the cat's cerebellum. Following incubation in an antibody generated against rat CGRP and processing with the peroxidase anti‐peroxidase (PAP) technique, CGRP immunoreactivity (IR) is found in profiles that have morphological characteristics of both simple and complex mossy fibers. However, all mossy fibers are not CGRP‐positive. Further, CGRP‐IR mossy fibers have a heterogeneous distribution in the cerebellum. In the vermis, the majority of immunoreactive profiles are in lobules VII, VIII, and the dorsal folia of IX. In anterior vermal lobules, only scattered terminals, located primarily at the apex and along the shoulder of the folia, are present. Laterally, CGRP‐IR mossy fibers are located in the paramedian lobule, paraflocculus, and crus II. No CGRP fibers or varicosities are observed in any of the cerebellar nuclei. However, CGRP‐positive cell bodies are scattered throughout the nuclear neuropil. A double label technique revealed that CGRP‐IR mossy fibers arise from neurons located in the lateral reticular nucleus, external cuneate nucleus, inferior vestibular nucleus, and basilar pons. The present findings, taken together with previous data, indicate that cerebellar afferents are chemically heterogeneous. The findings of the present study suggest that precerebellar nuclei that give rise to the mossy fibers that contain CGRP have the potential for playing a complex role in modulating circuitry in the cerebellar cortex of the cat. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.