Neurons of the substantia nigra reticulata receive a dense GABA-containing input from the globus pallidus in the rat.

The lectin Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) was used as an anterograde tracer to study the topographical distribution and synaptic organization of pallidonigral fibres in the rat. Injections of PHA-L in the lateral part of the globus pallidus led to anterograde labelling of a rich plexus of varicose fibres that arborized profusely in the central core of the rostral three quarters of the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr). However, few fibres were detected in SNr after PHA-L injection restricted to the most medial part of the globus pallidus. A small number of fibres was seen in the substantia nigra pars compacta after each injection. The most characteristic feature of the pallidonigral terminals was the formation of baskets around the perikarya and primary dendrites of SNr cells. Electron microscopic analysis revealed that the pallidonigral terminals contain pleomorphic vesicles and a large number of mitochondria and that they form symmetrical synaptic contacts. Furthermore, postembedding immunocytochemistry for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) showed that they display GABA immunoreactivity. These findings demonstrate that, in the rat, the pallidonigral projection is a major source of GABA-containing terminals innervating pars reticulata cells and that the pattern of innervation is such that they may exert a powerful inhibitory control over these cells.