Immunohistochemical evidence for the coexistence of calcitonin gene-related peptide- and choline acetyltransferase-like immunoreactivity in neurons of the rat hypoglossal, facial and ambiguus nuclei.

The present immunocytochemical study demonstrates that calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity (CGRPI) coexists with acetylcholine in single cells of hypoglossal, facial and ambiguus nuclei. The experiments were done using alternate frozen sections from relevant regions of the rat brain. We further show that CGRPI is localized in the nerve terminals that form neuromuscular junctions in the tongue muscles.