Neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive synapses in the intermediolateral cell column of rat and rabbit thoracic spinal cord

I. J. Llewellyn-Smith, J. B. Minson, D. A. Morilak, J. R. Oliver, J. P. Chalmers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Neuropeptide Y (NPY)-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the intermediolateral cell column of rat spinal cord segments T2-T3 and T8-T10 and rabbit segments T3-T6 were studied with light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. Plexuses of NPY-immunoreactive nerve fibers were found by light microscopy. NPY-positive synapses were present electron microscopically but non-immunoreactive synapses greatly outnumbered NPY-immunoreactive ones. In the lateral horn of rat T9, 30% of the vesicle-containing NPY-positive axon profiles formed synapses, 95% of which were axodendritic. These synaptic connections may mediate the effects of brainstem NPY neurons on the activity of sympathetic preganglionic neurons.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)243-248
Number of pages6
JournalNeuroscience Letters
Volume108
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 22 1990
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Blood pressure
  • Immunocytochemistry
  • Intermediolateral cell column
  • Neuropeptide Y
  • Spinal cord
  • Ultrastructure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive synapses in the intermediolateral cell column of rat and rabbit thoracic spinal cord'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this