Spatial relationship of NADPH-diaphorase and acetylcholinesterase lattices in the rat and mouse superior colliculus.

In the intermediate layers of the rat and mouse colliculus there is a lattice-like pattern of high nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase activity. This lattice is composed of dark bands that are 100-200 micron wide and enclose pale areas of irregular shape. A very similar lattice of high acetylcholinesterase activity is also found in the intermediate layers and this overlaps the diaphorase lattice almost completely. However, in deeper layers the enzymes have a complementary organization with high levels of one being associated with low levels of the other. It is concluded that the histochemical lattices will provide useful patterns with which to compare the terminal organization of afferent systems.