Effects of cholinergic depletion on glutamic acid decarboxylase immunoreactivity in the somatosensory cortex of rats.

The purpose of these experiments was to determine the effects of cholinergic depletion on the morphology and staining density of barrels formed by glutamic acid decarboxylase-positive neuropil in the posteromedial barrel subfield of the somatosensory cortex. The density and distribution of glutamic acid decarboxylase immunoreactive neuropil were examined after highly selective lesions of cholinergic neurons in the nucleus basalis of Meynert with an immunotoxin, IgG 192-saporin. Glutamic acid decarboxylase immunoreactivity was also examined in animals subjected to a whisker-pairing experience and lesion of acetylcholine inputs from the nucleus basalis of Meynert. Seven to 9 weeks after intraventricular injection of the immunotoxin, animals were perfused with a zinc aldehyde fixative and glutamic acid decarboxylase immunoreactivity was examined in 30-micron tangential sections. Cholinergic depletion caused reduced glutamic acid decarboxylase immunoreactivity in selective regions of the posteromedial barrel subfield. The density of neuropil and cell bodies immunoreactive for glutamic acid decarboxylase was significantly reduced in septa and perimeters of barrel walls. The length, width, and area of barrels were reduced 10-20% in cholinergic-depleted animals compared with controls. The density of glutamic acid decarboxylase immunoreactivity in the hollow of barrels was not affected by this treatment. Whisker pairing did not significantly change the density of glutamic acid decarboxylase immunoreactivity in barrels. These observations are discussed in regard to how long-term cholinergic depletion affects the function of different fiber systems in the posteromedial barrel subfield cortex and how some sensory functions may be comprised.