ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the distribution and chemical character of nestin immunoreactive cells in the human basal forebrain. Methods We explored systematically the distribution of nestin immunoreactive cells throughout the human basal forebrain by nestin 331B, 10C2, Rat401 antibody.Furthermore, we investigated the chemical identity of these nestin immunoreactive cells by using double\|labeling immunocytochemistry with NSE, ChAT, p75NGFR, GFAP antibody or using NADPH\|d histochemistry. Results The nestin immunoreactive cells were found in the septum, diagonal band of Broca, innominate substance,amygdala,basal nucleus of Meynert of adult human brain.These nestin immunoreactive cells haven big cell body,2\|3 processes.The nestin immunoreactive cells were labeled by NSE antibody.The large majority of those were single stained,and 28% were double labeled with ChAT positive neurons,15% with NGFR positive neurons,6% with NOS positive neurons.A few nestin immunoreactive cells shared similar morphology with that of astrocyte glia which existed in the spaces between the thin septa pellucida or the midline along the septum.It could not be labeled by GFAP antibody.Conclusion\ A new cluster of nestin immunoreactive neurons that were different from the ChAT,NGFR,NOS positive neurons existed in adult human basal forebrain.\;[