Morphological evidence for selective modulation by serotonin of a subpopulation of dorsal horn cells which possess the neurokinin-1 receptor

Stewart, W. and Maxwell, D.J. (2000) Morphological evidence for selective modulation by serotonin of a subpopulation of dorsal horn cells which possess the neurokinin-1 receptor. European Journal of Neuroscience, 12(12), pp. 4583-4588. (doi: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2000.01350.x)

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Abstract

Serotonin selectively depresses transmission of nociceptive information through the spinal dorsal horn but the mechanisms of this depression are poorly understood. In this study we report that serotonin-containing axons form basket-like clusters which are intimately woven around cell bodies and proximal dendrites of a subpopulation (≈ 50%) of laminae III/IV neurons which possess the neurokinin-1 receptor. Statistical analysis confirms that cells belonging to this subpopulation have significantly higher numbers of serotoninergic contacts on proximal dendrites when compared with the population of neurokinin-1 cells that are not associated with clusters (mean ± SD = 13 ± 5.8 and 5 ± 2.9, respectively). Neurokinin-1 cells in laminae III/IV project to regions of the brain which are involved in nociceptive processing and are likely to be activated predominantly by nociceptive input. The concentration of serotoninergic axons around proximal regions of some of these cells indicates that serotonin may have a powerful influence on transmission through this pathway. This type of arrangement could be a morphological correlate for at least part of the selective antinociceptive actions of serotonin.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Stewart, Dr William and Maxwell, Professor David
Authors: Stewart, W., and Maxwell, D.J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Journal Name:European Journal of Neuroscience
Journal Abbr.:Europ. J. Neurosci.
ISSN:0953-816X
ISSN (Online):1460-9568
Published Online:18 July 2008

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