TOPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF NADPH-DIABHORASE-POSITIVE NEURONS IN THE CATS CLAUSTRUM

The NADPH-diaphorase histochemical technique was used to visualize the morphological features of the NADPH-diaphorase positive cells and fib res, and their distribution in both parts of the cat's claustrum. Taki ng into account the size and form of the perikaryon and the dendritic and axonal characteristics, the neurons are grouped in different subcl asses: large, medium-sized and small. The present data suggest the occ urrence of two populations of NADPH-diaphorase neurons in the claustru m. One population consisting of large and medium-sized positive neuron s represents the projection neurons while the other population of smal l positive neurons corresponds to the local circuit neurons.