The centrally projecting Edinger–Westphal nucleus—I: Efferents in the rat brain

Publication date: October 2015 Source:Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, Volume 68 Author(s): Edmilson D. Dos Santos Júnior, André V. Da Silva, Kelly R.T. Da Silva, Carlos A.S. Haemmerle, Daniella S. Batagello, Joelcimar M. Da Silva, Leandro B. Lima, Renata J. Da Silva, Giovanne B. Diniz, Luciane V. Sita, Carol F. Elias, Jackson C. Bittencourt The oculomotor accessory nucleus, often referred to as the Edinger–Westphal nucleus [EW], was first identified in the 17th century. Although its most well known function is the control of pupil diameter, some controversy has arisen regarding the exact location of these preganglionic neurons. Currently, the EW is thought to consist of two different parts. The first part [termed the preganglionic EW—EWpg], which controls lens accommodation, choroidal blood flow and pupillary constriction, primarily consists of cholinergic cells that project to the ciliary ganglion. The second part [termed the centrally projecting EW—EWcp], which is involved in non-ocular functions such as feeding behavior, stress responses, addiction and pain, consists of peptidergic neurons that project to the brainstem, the spinal cord and prosencephalic regions. However, in the literature, we found few reports related to either ascending or descending projections from the EWcp that are compatible with its currently described functions. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to systematically investigate the ascending and de...
Source: Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research