Cholinergic innervation of the human thalamus: Dual origin and differential nuclear distribution

The cholinergic innervation of the human thalamus was studied with antibodies against the enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and nerve growth factor receptor (NGFr). Acetylcholinesterase histochemistry was used to delineate nuclear boundaries. All thalamic nuclei displayed ChAT‐positive axons and varicosities. Only the medial habenula contained ChAT‐positive perikarya. Some intralaminar nuclei (central medial, central lateral, and paracentral), the reticular nucleus, midline nuclei (paraventricular and reuniens), some nuclei associated with the limbic system (anterodorsal nucleus and medially situated patches in the mediodorsal nucleus) and the lateral geniculate nucleus displayed the highest density of ChAT‐positive axonal varicosities. The remaining sensory relay nuclei and the nuclei interconnected with the motor and association cortex displayed a lower level of innervation.

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