THE EFFERENT PROJECTIONS OF THE HABENULAR NUCLEI IN THE RAT---A WGA-HRP STUDY / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

WGA-HRP was iontophoretically delivered into various parts of the habenular nuclei (the lateral segment of the lateral habenular nucleus LHb-L, the medial segment of the lateral habenular nucleus LHb-M, and the medial habenular nucleus MHb) in 40 rats to study the route and distribution of the anterograde labeled fibers and terminals in the brain. The efferent projections of the habenular nuclei follow three routes, the rostral, contralateral and caudal pathways. Along the rostral pathway fibers leave the lateral habenular nucleus, follow the stria medullaris thalami rostrally, and distribute to the thalamic dorsomedial nucleus, paratenial nucleus and lateral preoptic area. Fibers from the contralateral pathway distribute to the opposite lateral habenular nucleus by way of the commissura habenularum Fibers in the caudal pathway originate mainly from the MHb and LHb-M, and distribute to the interpeduncular nucleus with a dorsoventral topographic localization. In addition some of the caudal efferent fibers run caudally and terminate in the raphe nuclei and reticular formation etc.