Topographical distribution of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase in the cerebral hemisphere of the garden lizard, Calotes versicolor.

Differential patterns of distribution of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) are observed in the cerebral nuclei and fiber tracts of Calotes versicolor. The majority of the nuclei reveal a positive reaction for AChE varying from moderate to intense. In contrast, almost all the nuclei are found negative to BChE, except for the area of the nucleus commissurae anterioris and of the paleostriatum where the positive activity is due to BChE positive fibers. The medial forebrain bundle demonstrates intense activity for AChE, while the lateral forebrain bundle and commissures present a negative picture. Interestingly, all the fiber bundles and commissures show an intense reaction for BChE. The nature of nuclei and fiber tracts in relation to the differential patterns of AChE and BChE is discussed.