Efferent connections of the dorsal tegmental region in the rat, studied by means of anterograde transport of the lectin Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin (PHA-L).

Efferent connections of the dorsal tegmental region (DTR) of the rat were studied with anterograde tracing of the lectin Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin (PHA-L). The results demonstrate that DTR fibers reach widespread mesencephalic, diencephalic and telencephalic structures which for the most part can be characterized as limbic, i.e. the interpeduncular, mammillary, habenular, anterior and medial thalamic and septal nuclei and limbic cortical areas. In addition, structures such as the prepositus hypoglossi, lateral geniculate and superior colliculus receive input from DTR.