Expression of BDNF and full-length TrkB in normal adult rat spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion was examined by immunohistochemistry. Rats were fixed with Zamboni’s fixative followed by cryosectioning of the lumbar spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Anti-BDNF and anti-TrkB-fl antibodies were applied. Slides were observed under dark field microscopy. Axon terminal fibers in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord show strong immunoreactivity to anti-BDNF antibody. Many cells in the ventral horn of the spinal cord are immunostained with anti-TrkB-fl antibody. Some small to medium cells in the DRG were stained with anti-BDNF or anti-TrkB-fl antibody. These results suggest distribution of BDNF and TrkB protein in the spinal cord and DRG.
