Abstract
Objective: To identify the novel projections received by the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting nucleus from the subcortex and limbic system to understand the biological functions of the nucleus.Methods: The cholera toxin subunit B (CB), a retrograde tracer, was injected into the CSF-contacting nucleus in Sprague–Dawley rats. After 7–10 days, the surviving rats were perfused, and the whole brain and spinal cord were sliced for CB immunofluorescence detection. The CB-positive neurons in the subcortex and limbic system were observed under a fluorescence microscope, followed by 3D reconstructed with the imaris software.Results: CB-positive neurons were found in the basal forebrain, septum, periventricular organs, preoptic area, and amygdaloid structures. Five functional areas including 46 sub-regions sent projections to the CSF-contacting nucleus. However, the projections had different densities, ranging from sparse to moderate, to dense.Conclusions: According to the projections from the subcortex and limbic system, we hypothesize that the CSF-contacting nucleus participates in emotion, cognition, homeostasis regulation, visceral activity, pain, and addiction. In this study, we illustrate the novel projections from the subcortex and limbic system to the CSF-contacting nucleus, which underlies the diverse and complicated circuits of the nucleus in body regulations.
Highlights
The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting nucleus is a special nucleus recently identified in the brain
The tracer produced dense green immunofluorescence-positive staining within the CSF-contacting nucleus (Figure 1B)
In the anterior olfactory nucleus (AO) and magnocellular preoptic nucleus (MCPO) of the preoptic area, the cholera toxin subunit B (CB)-positive neurons were mainly large in size and had many processes
Summary
The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting nucleus is a special nucleus recently identified in the brain. It is located within the pons including the isthmic region (Song et al, 2019). Our previous studies have demonstrated the connections of the CSF-contacting nucleus with non-CSF-contacting neurons, glial cells, and blood vessels (Zhang et al, 2003). It implies that the CSF-contacting nucleus may be considered as an important structure bridging the brain and CSF, or that it plays an extremely important
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
