An immunocytochemical mapping of methionine-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 in the cat brainstem.

The distribution of methionine-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8-immunoreactive cell bodies and fibres was studied in the brainstem of the cat using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. In the mesencephalon, immunoreactive cell bodies were observed in the periaqueductal grey, the dorsal raphe nucleus, the central and pericentral nuclei of the inferior colliculus and the pericentral division of the dorsal tegmental nucleus. In the pons, immunoreactive cell bodies were observed in the dorsolateral division of the pontine nucleus; below the central division of the dorsal tegmental nucleus; above the dorsolateral division of the pontine nucleus, and close to the superior cerebellar peduncle.

Mapping of neurokinin-like immunoreactivity in the human brainstem.

Background: Using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique, we have studied the distribution of immunoreactive fibers and cell bodies containing neurokinin in the adult human brainstem with no prior history of neurological or psychiatric disease.

Results: Clusters of immunoreactive cell bodies and high densities of neurokinin-immunoreactive fibers were located in the periaqueductal gray, the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus and in the reticular formation of the medulla, pons and mesencephalon. Moreover, immunoreactive cell bodies were found in the inferior colliculus, the raphe obscurus, the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi, and in the midline of the anterior medulla oblongata.