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The Brain Nucleus Locus Coeruleus: Restricted Afferent Control
of a Broad Efferent Network.
Aston-Jones G, Ennis M, Pieribone VA, Nickell WT, Shipley MT
Science 234:734 (7 Nov 1986)

	Dense Focal injections of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated-
horseradish peroxidase in the locus coeruleus of rats labeled afferent
neurons in unexpectedly few brain regions.  Major inputs emanate from
only two nuclei -- the paragigantocellularis and the prepositus hypoglossi,
both in the rostral medulla.  The dorsal cap of the paraventricular
nuclei and the spinal intermediate gray are possible minor afferents
to the locus coeruleus.  Others areas reported to project to locus
coeruleus (for example Amygdala, nucleus tractus solitarius, and spinal
dorsal horn) did not exhibit consistent retrograde labeling.  Anterograde
tracing and electrophysiologic experiments confirmed the absence of
input to locus coeruleus from these areas, which instead terminate in
targets adjacent to locus coeruleus.  These finding redefine the
anatomic organization of the locus coeruleus, and have implications
for hypotheses concerning the functions of the noradrenergic brain
nucleus.

Note: "A considerable body of evidence implicates this nucleus in
global brain function such as emotion and vigilance, as well as in
the etiology of depression and dementia of the Alzheimer's type."

-- 
			      Craig Werner (MD/PhD '91)
				!philabs!aecom!werner
              (1935-14E Eastchester Rd., Bronx NY 10461, 212-931-2517)
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