1991 Volume 1991 Issue Supplement48 Pages 9-15
A specific neuronal group in the nucleus of the optic tract (NOT) is considered to play an important role in the development horizontal optokinetic nystagmus (OKN). We obtained morphological evidence on such data. In the present study, γ-Aminobutylic acid (GABA) positive cells and terminals were detected in the NOT in the rat. However, GABA positive cells in the NOT receiving projections directly from the retinal ganglion cells could not be identified. Also, the GABA reaction was not positive for the neurons in the NOT projecting to the Inferior olivary nucleus (JO). In the NOT, although GABA positive cells exists, they seem to act indirectly as intrinsic interneurons, when processing or transmitting the Information from the retina, and to the IO.
