The laminar distribution of amino acids in the caudal cerebellum and electrosensory lateral line lobe of weakly electric fish (Gymnotidae).

We have studied the distribution of the putative amino acid neurotransmitters glutamate, aspartate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, taurine and beta-alanine in the caudal cerebellar lobe and electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL) of weakly electric gymnotid fish. In the caudal lobe of the cerebellum, the levels of the various amino acids in the granular and molecular layers are comparable to the levels in the rat cerebellum, with the exception of taurine which is present in greater amounts in the gymnotid. In the ELL, these amino acids are differentially distributed in the various layers of this structure. Glutamate and taurine are enriched in the molecular layer, whereas GABA, aspartate, and beta-alanine are enriched in the deep neuropil + granular layers. Glycine is slightly enriched in the pyramidal cell layer.