Distribution of Nestin-positive neuronal projections from basal forebrain of rats
Objective To investigate whether Nestin-positive neurons in the basal forebrain project to the medial habenular nucleus,basolateral amygdala,ventral tegmental area,and interpeduncular nucleus,as well as the regularity of such projections.Methods A total of 36 SD rats were numbered and randomly divided into four groups using a random number table,with 9 rats in each group.Retrograde tracer fast blue(FB)was injected into the medial habenular nucleus(MHb),basolateral amygdala(BLA),ventral tegmental area(VTA),and interpeduncular nucleus(IP)respectively.After 5 days,the brains were collected,and the projection of nestin and ChAT-positive neurons in the basal forebrain was observed using immunofluorescence staining.Results The basal forebrain projects to the medial habenular nucleus and basolateral amygdala,but there was no projection circuit to the ventral tegmental area or interpeduncular nucleus.About 14.5％of the projection pathway from the basal forebrain to the medial habenular nucleus originates from Nestin-positive neurons,and about 26.9％of the cholinergic circuits between these two brain regions was of the nestin subtype.Additionally,about 5.19％of the projection pathway from the basal forebrain to the basolateral amygdala was composed of Nestin-positive neurons,and 16.7％of the cholinergic circuits between these two brain regions was of the nestin subtype.Conclusion Apart from the previously reported brain regions,Nestin-positive neurons primarily form neural circuits with the medial habenular nucleus and also project to the basolateral amygdala to a lesser extent.These neural circuits may be involved in the regulation of fear memory,emotions,and other related functions.
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