THE ANATOMY OF THE RAT FASCIA-DENTATA - NEW VISTAS

The rat fascia dentata is frequently used as a model system to analyze normal as well as pathological processes of the brain. The normal ana tomy of the fascia dentata is the basis for a meaningful interpretatio n of experimentally induced changes in this brain region. Using antero grade tracing with Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin (PHAL) previousl y unknown commissural as well as entorhinal fiber systems to the fasci a dentata were described. These fiber systems need to be incorporated into current concepts of the hippocampal network since they have profo und implications for studies of lesion effects in this brain region.