Comparative distribution of GABAergic and peptide-containing neurons in the lateral lemniscal nuclei of the rat

By immunostaining, neurons expressing peptides (dynorphin and corticotropin -releasing factor, CRF) and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), a GABA-synthesiz ing enzyme, were precisely mapped in the rat lateral lemniscal nuclei. Whil e GAD neurons were numerous and preferably localized in the dorsal (DLL) an d ventral (VLL) nuclei, neurons expressing these peptides were less numerou s and localized primarily in the intermediate (ILL) nucleus of the lateral lenmiscus. The LLL nucleus was shown to project to the inferior colliculus and to express Fos rapidly in response to peripheral acoustic stimulation, suggesting that the ILL nucleus may take part in non-GABAergic relay of aco ustic information in the lateral lemniscus. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.