CORTICAL PROJECTIONS FROM THE LATERODORSAL AND DORSAL TEGMENTAL NUCLEI. A FLUORESCENT RETROGRADE TRACING STUDY IN THE RAT

Abstract Cortical injections of the fluorescent tracers Fast blue and Diamidino yellow resulted in retrogradely labeled cells in the dorsal tegmental region of the rat. Both the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus and the ventromedial portion of the dorsal tegmental nucleus presented labeled cells. Topographically, the most robust projection was directed to the medial frontal cortex, followed by the olfactory and lateral frontal (motor) cortex. Fewer labeled cells appeared after parietal, temporal or occipital cortex injections.