The prefrontal "cortex" in the pigeon catecholamine histofluorescence.

The prefrontal cortex of mammals is densely innervated with dopaminergic fibers. We report a comparable, dense network of catecholamine (probably dopamine)-containing fluorescent fibers in the posterodorsolateral neostriatum of the pigeon. This region is clearly separable from paleostriatum augmentatum, lobus parolfactorius, posterior archistriatum, posteromedial corticoid and septum, all of which also show strong catecholamine fluorescence. Parallel biochemical, anatomical and neurobehavioral data support the suggestion that posterodorsolateral neostriatum in the pigeon may be comparable to the mammalian prefrontal cortex. Thus the telencephalic tissue represented as the prefrontal cortex in mammals and the posterodorsolateral neostriatum in the pigeon, may turn out to be a phylogenetically ancient neural device.