The organization of monoamine neurons within the brainstem of the north american opossum (didelphis virginiana)

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Abstract
The distribution of monoamine‐containing neurons within the brain of the opossum is described using the Falck‐Hillarp histofluorescence technique. Catecholamine‐containing neurons are organized into four groups. The medulla contains one group which is located dorsolateral to the lateral reticular nucleus and ventrolateral to the dorsal vagal nucleus. The second collection is found within the pons and includes both the locus coeruleus and a region continuous with it referred to as the nucleus coeruleus, pars α. The third aggregate includes the substantia nigra, the ventral tegmental area, and the mesencephalic reticular formation and a fourth group is located within the periventricular and dorsal paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. The indoleamine‐containing cell bodies are distributed within the nuclei raphe obscurus, pallidus, magnus, dorsalis, and the nuclei linearis and superior centralis except at certain pontine levels where they appear laterally within the reticular formation. A number of small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells are present within the connective tissue surrounding the brain and its blood vessels as well. Although certain differences are present, the didtribution of monoamine neurons in the American opossum conforms generally to that described for the placental mammals studied to date.