Tehran University Medical Journal

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In order to understand the function of mammalians serotonin system, we have to know the anatomical structure, because physiological changes are influenced through the anatomical changes. A number of thalamic nuclei are associated with functions known to be influenced by serotonergic input in brainstem, among them mediodorsal thalamic nucleus has relationship with limbic system and prefrontal cortex. The precise topographical projections of mesencephalic raphe nuclei to the MD nucleus of thalamus were identified in the rat using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) retrograde tracing substance. Injection of HRP in MD labeled a large number of neurons in rostral to caudal part of dorsal raphe nucleus. It exhibited a strong number of neurons in ipsilateral part of DR and a few cells in its contralateral part. Numerously labeled cells were also observed ipsilateral in rostral and medial part of MnR (86%) and a few cells in it's contralateral part. The present study has provided that the MD innervation by DR is more greater in density than that observed at the MnR. Upon these results and previous study, mesencephalic raphe nuclei are involved in several specific functions of thalamus as limbic system behavioral mechanism. A much more detailed knowledge is needed to show topographic relationships between mesencephalic raphe nuclei and forebrain.

Keywords: Thalamus, Dorsal raphe nuclei, Serotonin, Retrograde tracer study

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