The dopaminergic innervation of the avian telencephalon

The present review provides an overview of the distribution of dopaminergic fibers and dopaminoceptive elements within the avian telencephalon, the po ssible interactions of dopamine (DA) with other biochemically identified sy stems as revealed by immunocytochemistry, and the involvement of DA in beha vioral processes in birds. Primary sensory structures are largely devoid of dopaminergic fibers, DA re ceptors and the D1-related phosphoprotein DARPP-32, while all these dopamin ergic markers gradually increase in density from the secondary sensory to t he multimodal association and the limbic and motor output areas. Structures of the avian basal ganglia are most densely innervated but, in contrast to mammals, show a higher D2 than D1 receptor density. In most of the remaini ng telentephalon D1 receptors clearly outnumber D2 receptors. Dopaminergic fibers in the avian telencephalon often show a peculiar arrangement where f ibers coil around the somata and proximal dendrites of neurons like baskets , probably providing them with a massive dopaminergic input. Basket-like in nervation of DARPP-32-positive neurons seems to be most prominent in the mu ltimodal association areas. Taken together, these anatomical findings indicate a specific role of DA in higher order learning and sensory-motor processes, while primary sensory p rocesses are less affected. This conclusion is supported by behavioral find ings which show that in birds, as in mammals, DA is specifically involved i n sensory-motor integration, attention and arousal, learning and working me mory. Thus, despite considerable differences in the anatomical organization of the avian and mammalian forebrain, the organization of the dopaminergic system and its behavioral functions are very similar in birds and mammals. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.