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Distribution of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactive astrocytes in the rat brain

II. Mesencephalon, rhombencephalon and spinal cord

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Summary

The topographical mapping of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactivity was performed in coronal serial sections of the rat mesencephalon, rhombencephalon and spinal cord. Relative to a background of poor or moderate overall staining of the mesencephalon, the interpeduncular nucleus, substantia nigra and the periaqueductal grey matter were prominent by their intense GFAP-immunoreactivity. The pons and particularly the medulla contained more GFAP-labelled elements compared with the mesencephalon. The spinal trigeminal nucleus and Rolando substance were distinguished by their intense staining. Large fibre tracts were usually poor in immunoreactive GFAP. In a concluding discussion, findings relevant to the GFAP-mapping of the whole rat CNS are evaluated with regard to possible reasons underlying the observed differential distribution of GFAP-immunoreactivity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Veterinary Science, P.O. Box 2, H-1400, Budapest, Hungary

    F. Hajós

  2. First Department of Anatomy, Semmelweis University Medical School, H-1400, Budapest, Hungary

    M. Kálmán

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  1. F. Hajós
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  2. M. Kálmán
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Hajós, F., Kálmán, M. Distribution of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactive astrocytes in the rat brain. Exp Brain Res 78, 164–173 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00230695

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00230695

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