Arcuate dopaminergic/GABAergic neurons project within the hypothalamus and to the median eminence

Abstract

Cotransmitting dopaminergic (DA) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic (DA/GABA) neurons contribute to the complexity of neural circuits. Using a new genetic technique, we characterized the locations, density, and projections of hypothalamic DA/GABA neurons. DA/GABA cells are mostly in the arcuate nucleus (Arc), from which they project locally within the arcuate, to the median eminence (ME), and to the paraventricular (Pa) nucleus. There is also a small and previously unreported group of DA/GABA cells in the caudate putamen.