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Evidence for a multi‐compartmental histochemical organization of the nucleus accumbens in the rat
Author(s) -
JongenRȩlo Ana L.,
Groenewegen Henk J.,
Voorn Pieter
Publication year - 1993
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.903370207
Subject(s) - biology , nucleus accumbens , neuroscience , nucleus , central nervous system
Abstract In the present study, the compartmental organization of the nucleus accumbens was investigated by comparing the pattern of leu‐enkephalin immunoreactivity with that of the opioid receptor ligand, naloxone, an established marker for the compartmental organization of the neostriatum. Both patterns have a nonhomogeneous, patch‐like appearance throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the nucleus and show a good, mutual correspondence. In the core of the nucleus accumbens as well as in the border region between the nucleus accumbens and the caudate‐putamen, leu‐enkephalin‐rich areas are in register with opioid receptor‐dense areas. In the shell region the precise relationship between the enkephalin and the naloxone patterns could not be established. A comparison of the connectivity patterns and neurochemical characteristics of the opioid receptor‐dense compartments in the nucleus accumbens with those in the caudate‐putamen reveals major discrepancies between these two striatal subdivisions. We therefore conclude that, rather than a bicompartmental patch/striosome‐matrix organization, the nucleus accumbens has a multicompartmental organization. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.