Abstract
We studied the topographical distribution and morphological characteristics of NADPH-diaphorase-positive neurons and fibers in the human claustrum. These neurons were seen to be heterogeneously distributed throughout the claustrum. Taking into account the size and shape of stained perikarya as well as dendritic and axonal characteristics, Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPHd)-positive neurons were categorized by diameter into three types: large, medium and small. Large neurons ranged from 25 to 35 μm in diameter and typically displayed elliptical or multipolar cell bodies. Medium neurons ranged from 20 to 25 μm in diameter and displayed multipolar, bipolar and irregular cell bodies. Small neurons ranged from 14 to 20 μm in diameter and most often displayed oval or elliptical cell bodies. Based on dendritic characteristics, these neurons were divided into spiny and aspiny subtypes. Our findings reveal two populations of NADPHd-positive neurons in the human claustrum—one comprised of large and medium cells consistent with a projection neuron phenotype, the other represented by small cells resembling the interneuron phenotype as defined by previous Golgi impregnation studies.
Highlights
The claustrum is a telencephalic structure present in most mammalian brains (Guirado et al, 2003; Real et al, 2003; Ashwell et al, 2004; Edelstein and Denaro, 2004)
The claustrum was first depicted by the noted French physician/anatomist Felix Vicq d’ Azyr in his historic treatise (Vicq d’Azyr, 1786) and described as: “Tractus cortical très délié qui se trouve entre le sillon de Sylvius et les corps striés [‘Separated cortical tract between the Sylvian fissure and the corpus striatum’]” It is generally believed that the German physiologist Karl Burdach first ascribed the name “claustrum” to this nucleus (Burdach, 1822)
The present study provides for the first detailed investigation of the distribution, size, characteristics, and morphology of Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPHd)-positive neurons in the human claustrum
Summary
The claustrum is a telencephalic structure present in most mammalian brains (Guirado et al, 2003; Real et al, 2003; Ashwell et al, 2004; Edelstein and Denaro, 2004). In humans, it is situated between the insular cortex and putamen, and bordered by the external and extreme capsules. The gross anatomical subdivisions of the claustrum are generally accepted as being dorsal (insular) and ventral (endopiriform) (Guirado et al, 2003; Ashwell et al, 2004; Edelstein and Denaro, 2004). Morys et al (1996) further divided the claustrum into four parts: dorsal, orbital, temporal, and paraamygdalar. Namavar et al (2005) distinguished three parts in the dorsoventral plane; cap, dorsal, and ventral
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