Synaptology of three peptidergic neuron types in the central nucleus of the rat amygdala.

The synaptology of neurotensin (NT)-, somatostatin (SS)- and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-immunoreactive neurons was studied in the central nucleus of the rat amygdala (CNA). Three types of axon terminals formed synaptic contacts with peptide-immunoreactive neurons in the CNA: Type A terminals containing many round or oval vesicles; Type B terminals containing many pleomorphic vesicles; and Type C terminals containing fewer, pleomorphic vesicles. Peptide-immunoreactive terminals were type A. All three types of terminals formed symmetrical axosomatic and asymmetrical axodendritic contacts. However, type B and peptide-immunoreactive terminals frequently formed symmetrical axodendritic synaptic contacts. VIP-immunoreactive terminals also formed asymmetrical axodendritic contacts. SS- and NT-immunoreactive terminals commonly formed symmetrical contacts on SS- and NT-immunoreactive cell bodies, respectively. VIP-immunoreactive axon terminals were postsynaptic to nonreactive terminals. Type B terminals appeared more frequently on VIP neurons than on NT or SS neurons.