Types of thalamo-cortical relay neurons in the anteroventral nucleus of the cat. A combined horseradish peroxidase--Golgi study.

Neurons displaying a thalamo-cortical projection were marked by means of the retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and the labeled elements were compared with neurons impregnated by the Golgi technique. Injections of HRP into the posterior area of the limbic cortex resulted in its uptake by various anterior thalamic nuclei, especially the anteroventral nucleus. HRP-positive cells are characterized by their position, dendritic orientation, and the shape and size of their somata. On the basis of the combined HRP-and Golgi-analysis three different types of thalamo-cortical relay neurons can be distinguished.