Distribution of GABA-like immunoreactivity in the rat amygdaloid complex.

The distribution of GABA-like (GABA-Li) immunoreactivity in the rat amygdaloid complex was studied by using an anti-GABA antibody. GABA-Li positive neurons and processes were present in every nucleus of the complex. Three patterns of immunoreactivity were revealed: (1) the intercalated masses and the lateral olfactory tract nucleus exhibited the most intense staining of the neuropil, and virtually every neuron was labeled, (2) the central and medial nuclei contained intensely labeled neuropil and moderately labeled neurons, and (3) in the remaining nuclei, the neuropil was weakly labeled, and relatively numerous GABA-Li neurons were present. Our results suggest that: (1) the intercalated masses and lateral olfactory tract nucleus consist of large aggregates of GABA-Li immunoreactive neurons, and (2) the lateral, basal dorsal, and the posterior cortical nuclei may constitute a significant source of GABAergic connections to other amygdaloid nuclei, in particular to the medial and central nuclei.