Neuronal and glial structures of the superficial layers of the human superior colliculus

We studied neuronal and glial elements in the superficial layers of the hum an superior colliculus by means of Nissl stains, Golgi impregnations, histo chemical demonstration of NADPH-d activity and immunohistochemistry for gli al fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in astrocytes. The glia-neuron interfac e was visualized with Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA), which is a mark er for perineuronal nets. The laminar pattern and the morphology of the maj or cell types closely resembled that found in other species although the th ickness of the stratum zonale varied and the diversity of interneurons was greater than in other mammals. Furthermore, the stratum griseum superficial e showed a characteristic clustering of cells, the surfaces of which were i ntensely labeled by WFA. The clusters disappeared when GFAP expression incr eased.