Neurofilament immunoreactivity in vestibular ganglion neurons of the adult rat.

Immunocytochemical methods were used to study the distribution of neurofilament (NF) proteins in vestibular ganglion neurons of the adult rat. Monoclonal antibodies against the three triplet proteins were used. By indirect immunofluorescence and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method, two populations of neurons were distinguished. One population with large perikarya showed strong NF immunoreactivity. A second population of neurons presented only slight or no immunoreactivity. The strong NF immunoreactivity in the perikarya of certain neurons seems to be a general feature of many sensory ganglia.