RESUMEN
Objective To examine the distribution of high-affinity neurotrophin receptors, viz. TrkA, TrkB and TrkC receptors, in the four-order central pathway of trigeminal proprioception in the rat. Methods Avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method of immunohistochemistry with diaminobenzidine (DAB) as the chromogen was employed to identify the immunoreactive cells. Results All three receptors were detected in the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus, the second-and third-order nuclei in the central pathway of trigeminal proprioception. Within each of these nuclei, cells immunostained for the three receptors differed in density. TrkA-and TrkB-immunostaining was observed on the cell bodies and processes; TrkB, however, labelled much longer processes. TrkC staining was mainly restricted to the cell bodies.Conclusion In the central pathway of the trigeminal proprioception, each of the three receptors may play a specific role in maintaining the survival of neurons and in regulating the neurotransmitter release.;