Immunohistochemical studies on the processes of serotonin neurons and their ramification in the central nervous system--with regard to the possibility of the existence of Golgi's rete nervosa diffusa.

Using various vertebrates from teleost to macacus, we studied, by the modified PAP method, the serotonin neurons that are distributed mainly in the raphe nuclei area, focussing on their process ramifications, and obtained the following results. 1. The shapes of serotonin neurons were varied. They were multipolar with many long, thick dendrites. In most of the neurons, more than two axons originated either from the stem of a dendrite or from its tip. 2. The axons contained spherical or spindle-shaped varicosities of varied sizes (diameter 0.5-6 micron). On a few occasions, they became large, Herring body-like droplets. 3. The axons were classified into four groups according to the shape and size of the varicosities they contained: stem fibers, A-fibers (tract fibers), B-fibers (branching fibers) and C-fibers (ground fibers). 4. The axon not only branched frequently, but formed a true network by way of frequent anastomosis at the level of B- and C-fibers. Serotonin fibers do not have endings that correspond to telodendrons, but conduct impulses through "en passant" type synapses. 5. A supraependymal plexus is formed over large areas of the ventricular system. This vast network is considered to be formed by the syncytial continuity of axonal reticulum of many serotonin neurons. 6. Serotonin neurons, and probably noradrenaline neurons as well, should be classified as a third type of neuron, which belong to neither the Deiters type nor the Golgi type neuron. Their characteristic feature is the long, reticular axons, and it is highly probable that this neuron system forms the "rete nervosa diffusa" proposed by GOLGI.