Rat striatal cyclic nucleotide-reactive cells and acetylcholinesterase reactive interneurons are separate populations.

The concurrent localization of cyclic nucleotide immunofluorescent cells and acetylcholinesterase-containing neurons in the rat caudate-putamen complex has been examined. Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP stained elements do not exhibit coincident localization with the enzymatically detectable hydrolysis of acetylcholine. These data add further support for the preferential association of the cyclic nucleotides with striatal efferent projection systems, while the large cholinergic somata are part of the interneuron population of the rat caudate-putamen complex.