Branching patterns and projections of enteric neurons containing different putative transmitters.

Methods have been developed for the microsurgical interruption of nerve pathways in the wall of the intestine and for the immunohistochemical localization of antigens in whole mounts. These methods have made it possible to determine accurately the distributions and projections of neurons containing different putative transmitters. In this week neurons with substance P, somatostatin and 5-hydroxytryptamine-like immunoreactivity are described. Projections of noradrenergic neurons are also demonstrated. Each substance is associated with a unique set of neurons having precise projections within the intestine.