Serotoninergic innervation of stapedial and tensor tympani motoneurons

Retrograde tracing and neurotransmitter immunohistochemistry were combined to determine whether serotonin neurons innervated stapedial and tensor tympani motoneurons. With high-power light microscopy, putative axo-somatic and axo-dendritic contacts were observed between serotonin-positive endings an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brain research 1998-03, Vol.787 (1), p.175-178
Main Authors: Thompson, Ann M, Thompson, Glenn C, Britton, B.Hill
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Ear and associated structures. Auditory pathways and centers. Hearing. Vocal organ. Phonation. Sound production. Echolocation
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Immunohistochemistry
Motor Neurons - physiology
Serotonin - physiology
Stapedius - cytology
Stapedius - innervation
Tensor Tympani - cytology
Tensor Tympani - innervation
Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
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Summary:Retrograde tracing and neurotransmitter immunohistochemistry were combined to determine whether serotonin neurons innervated stapedial and tensor tympani motoneurons. With high-power light microscopy, putative axo-somatic and axo-dendritic contacts were observed between serotonin-positive endings and both stapedial and tensor tympani motoneurons, indicating that serotonin neurons terminate on brainstem motoneurons innervating the middle-ear muscles. With this connection, the serotonin system may directly modulate middle-ear muscle activity.
ISSN:0006-8993
1872-6240
DOI:10.1016/S0006-8993(97)01020-2