Heterogeneous topographical distribution of the striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons in the matrix compartment of the cat caudate nucleus

The topographical organization of the striatonigral projection was investigated in the cat by comparing the localization and the intensity of labelling of retrogradely labelled cells in the caudate nucleus following one or multiple injections of horseradish peroxidase‐wheat germ agglutinin into the center or along the rostrocaudal axis of the substantia nigra pars reticulata. Second, the localizations of retrogradely labelled striatopallidal neurons and of clusters of aggregated striatonigral neurons (as outlined by the transportof 14 C‐material) were compared in cats that received four horseradish peroxidase‐wheat germ agglutinin injections into the internal segment of the globus pallidus and three nigral injectionsof 14 C‐amino acids into the substantia nigra pars reticulata. Two types of striatonigral neurons located predominantly within the matrix compartment were identified: poorly collateralized aggregated cells distributed in clusters and more numerous collateralized cells distributed outside the clusters. In addition, two cell types were distinguished within each cluster of aggregated neurons. Those innervating the center of the substantia, nigra pars reticulata were observed after a single nigral injection of the tracer, whereas those projecting to distinct sites of the substantia nigra pars reticulata along a rostrocaudal axis were observed only after multiple injections. Striatal neurons innervating the internal segment of the globus pallidus were heterogeneously distributed predominantly within the matrix but outside the clusters of aggregated striatonigral neurons. Together, these results provide further evidence for the heterogeneity of the matrix and for the complexity of matrix striatonigral connections that send both diverging and converging signals to the substantia nigra pars reticulata. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.