NADPH-DIAPHORASE ACTIVITY IN THE CENTRAL AUDITORY STRUCTURES OF THE RAT

DISTRIBUTION of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) positive neurones was inves tigated in the central auditory structures of the rat. NADPH-d positiv e perikarya were found in the dorsal and external cortices of the infe rior colliculus and in the intercollicular commissure. Within the medi al geniculate body (MGB), stained cell bodies were observed in the dor sal part of the suprageniculate nucleus and in the basal part of the m edial division of the MGB. Occurrence of the NADPH-d positive perikary a in the MGB is limited to its caudal third. NADPH-d positive cells ar e dispersed in the auditory temporal cortex within layers II-VI, with a slight prevalence in the infragranular layers. NADPH-d positive neur ones have smooth dendrites without stained dendritic spines.