Cholinergic neurons in the rat cerebral cortex demonstrated by immunohistochemical localization of choline acetyltransferase.

The presence of cholinergic neurons in rat cerebral cortex was demonstrated by immunohistochemical localization of choline acetyltransferase, the enzyme synthesizing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The stained neurons were found throughout the entire cortex and were present in layers II--VI. Two morphological distinct classes of cholinergic neurons have been identified and compared with those neurons containing acetylcholinesterase.