Descending projection of the nucleus tegmentalis latero-dorsalis to the spinal cord; studied by the horseradish peroxidase method following 6-hydroxy-DOPA administration

Neurosci Lett. 1978 Apr;8(1):9-15. doi: 10.1016/0304-3940(78)90089-7.

Abstract

Descending projection of the nucleus tegmentalis laterodorsalis (TLD) to the spinal cord was investigated using the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) method following the systemic administration of 6-hydroxy-DOPA (6-OH-DOPA). 6-OH-DOPA pretreatment resulted in an intense labeling of the cell group at the laterocaudal portion of TLD after the injection of HRP to the lower segments of the spinal cord. Whereas in untreated rats, cells at the laterocaudal portion of TLD were faintly labeled. Such indirect effect correlated with a reduction in the number of fluorescent catecholamine nerve terminals in the spinal cord after 6-OH-DOPA injection, suggesting that the descending projection from laterocaudal portion of TLD to the spinal cord might be influenced by the catecholamine neurons in the central nervous system.