Aldosterone-sensitive neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract: bidirectional connections with the central nucleus of the amygdala

Joel C Geerling; Arthur D Loewy

doi:10.1002/cne.21019

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Aldosterone-sensitive neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract: bidirectional connections with the central nucleus of the amygdala

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Aldosterone-sensitive neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract: bidirectional connections with the central nucleus of the amygdala

Joel C Geerling and Arthur D Loewy

Journal of comparative neurology (1911), Vol.497(4), pp.646-657

08/01/2006

DOI: 10.1002/cne.21019

PMCID: PMC2748794

PMID: 16739197

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/2748794View

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Abstract

The HSD2 (11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2-expressing) neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) of the rat are aldosterone-sensitive and have been implicated in sodium appetite. The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) has been shown to modulate salt intake in response to aldosterone, so we investigated the connections between these two sites. A prior retrograde tracing study revealed only a minor projection from the HSD2 neurons directly to the CeA, but these experiments suggested that a more substantial projection may be relayed through the parabrachial nucleus. Small injections of cholera toxin beta subunit (CTb) into the external lateral parabrachial subnucleus (PBel) produced both retrograde cell body labeling in the HSD2 neurons and anterograde axonal labeling in the lateral subdivision of the CeA. Also, injections of either CTb or Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin into the medial subdivision of the CeA labeled a descending projection from the amygdala to the medial NTS. Axons from the medial CeA formed numerous varicosities and terminals enveloping the HSD2 neurons. Complementary CTb injections, centered in the HSD2 subregion of the NTS, retrogradely labeled neurons in the medial CeA. These bidirectional projections could form a functional circuit between the HSD2 neurons and the CeA. The HSD2 neurons may represent one of the functional inputs to the lateral CeA, and their activity may be modulated by a return projection from the medial CeA. This circuit could provide a neuroanatomical basis for the modulation of salt intake by the CeA.

Water-Electrolyte Balance - physiology

Cholera Toxin - metabolism

Amygdala - metabolism

Axons - metabolism

Rats

Amygdala - cytology

Axonal Transport - physiology

Male

Neurons - cytology

Sodium - metabolism

Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Aldosterone - metabolism

Phytohemagglutinins

Animals

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 - metabolism

Axons - ultrastructure

Fluorescent Antibody Technique

Neural Pathways - cytology

Neural Pathways - metabolism

Female

Neurons - metabolism

Solitary Nucleus - metabolism

Sodium, Dietary - metabolism

Solitary Nucleus - cytology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Aldosterone-sensitive neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract: bidirectional connections with the central nucleus of the amygdala
Creators: Joel C Geerling - Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
Arthur D Loewy
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of comparative neurology (1911), Vol.497(4), pp.646-657
DOI: 10.1002/cne.21019
PMID: 16739197
PMCID: PMC2748794
NLM abbreviation: J Comp Neurol
ISSN: 0021-9967
eISSN: 1096-9861
Publisher: United States
Grant note: R01 HL025449 / NHLBI NIH HHS R01 HL025449-33A1 / NHLBI NIH HHS R37 HL025449 / NHLBI NIH HHS HL-25449 / NHLBI NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 08/01/2006
Academic Unit: Neurology; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
Record Identifier: 9984014509502771

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