Termination of cortical afferents on identified neurons in the caudate nucleus of the cat

Summary

A combined Golgi/electron microscopic technique was used to investigate the fine structure and synaptology of Golgi-stained spiny neurons in the caudate nucleus of the cat. In order to study the termination sites of cortical afferents on Golgistained spiny neurons, cortical fibres were caused to degenerate by making extensive cortical lesions 3 days prior to fixation of the animals.

When examined in the electron microscope, perikarya of labelled spiny neurons have a round nucleus, a few mitochondria and microtubules, and a poorly developed Golgi apparatus and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Only rarely are axo-somatic contacts seen. Labelled dendrites exhibit a moderate number of microtubules and sometimes elongated mitochondria. Numerous labelled spines are seen in the vicinity of their parent dendrites. They are contacted by smaller type I and type III boutons and larger type IV boutons (Hassler et al. 1978). Large boutons filled with clear round vesicles establish symmetric contacts with labelled dendritic shafts.

Degenerating boutons of cortical afferents are seen in contact with spines and, more rarely, with dendritic shafts of Golgi-stained spiny neurons. All degenerating boutons synapsing with labelled structures are found some distance from the cell body. No contacts of degenerating cortical boutons with the soma or with stem dendrites of Golgi-stained spiny neurons are found.