Morrell J I, Greenberger L M, Pfaff D W
J Comp Neurol. 1981 Oct 1;201(4):589-620. doi: 10.1002/cne.902010409.
Neurons in the hypothalamus, other diencephalic regions, and the telencephalon which project to the mesencephalic central gray (CG) and the region lateral to it were demonstrated, in the rat, by the horseradish peroxidase retrograde neuroanatomical tracing method with diaminobenzidine and tetramethyl benzidine visualization reactions. The greatest concentrations of neurons that project to the dorsal mesencephalon were found in the ventromedial nucleus, particularly the anterior and ventrolateral subdivisions, in the dorsal premammillary nucleus, and in the zona incerta. Neurons that project to or lateral to the CG were also found in the laterocaudal hypothalamus, the dorsomedial hypothalamus, regions of the anterior hypothalamic area, specific areas of the cerebral cortex (32, 29, 8, 8A, 13, 14), and the central nucleus of the amygdala. Some neurons that project were also found in the preoptic area, septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminals, and the habenula. More neurons in the mediocaudal quadrant of the hypothalamus project to the mesencephalon than do those in laterocaudal, mediorostral, or laterorostral quadrants. More neurons in the medial than the lateral half, and more in the caudal than the rostral half of the hypothalamus project to the mesencephalon. More neurons project to the central gray, or the region lateral to it, at the levels of the superior colliculus, or intercollicular region, than at the level of the inferior colliculus. These descending connections to the midbrain, particularly from the hypothalamus and zona incerta, are probably components of neural networks that regulate nociception, certain neuroendocrine functions, sexual and other behaviors, and certain autonomic functions.
运用辣根过氧化物酶逆行神经解剖示踪法，通过二氨基联苯胺和四甲基联苯胺显色反应，在大鼠中显示了下丘脑、其他间脑区域及端脑中投射至中脑中央灰质（CG）及其外侧区域的神经元。投射至中脑背侧的神经元主要集中在腹内侧核，尤其是其前部和腹外侧亚区、背侧乳头前核及未定带。在下丘脑后外侧、下丘脑背内侧、下丘脑前区的特定区域、大脑皮层的特定区域（32区、29区、8区、8A区、13区、14区）以及杏仁核中央核中，也发现了投射至CG或其外侧的神经元。在视前区、隔区、终纹床核及缰核中也发现了一些投射神经元。下丘脑中间尾侧象限投射至中脑的神经元比后外侧、中间吻侧或外侧吻侧象限的更多。下丘脑内侧半比外侧半投射至中脑的神经元更多，且尾侧半比吻侧半投射至中脑的神经元更多。投射至上丘或丘间区域水平的中央灰质或其外侧区域的神经元比投射至下丘水平的更多。这些至中脑的下行连接，尤其是来自下丘脑和未定带的连接，可能是调节伤害感受、某些神经内分泌功能、性行为及其他行为以及某些自主功能的神经网络的组成部分。
