Characteristics of the Neurochemical State of Neurons in the Mesencephalic Nucleus of the Trigeminal Nerve in Cats

Abstract

To systematize data on central nervous system neurons immunonegative for the common neuron marker NeuN. The distribution of NeuN-immunolabeling in the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, an element of the proprioceptive system, was studied. Analysis was run in six cats aged 0.5, 5, and 105 weeks. NeuN protein immunohistochemical reaction data were compared with data on the distribution of parvalbumin-immunopositive neurons, as parvalbumin is regarded as a marker for the proprioceptive system. Cats of all ages studied had no NeuN protein immunoreactivity in parvalbumin-immunopositive neurons in the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve. The data obtained here, along with published data, indicate that NeuN-immunonegativity may be a property of elements of the proprioceptive system.