Demonstration of nigro-neostriatal tract by degeneration silver method

In the morphological demonstration of the nigro-neostriatal tract, there might be some discrepancies between the results by the histofluorescence method and by the degeneration silver method. The present investigation was undertaken to fill the gap by using the modified Nauta Method (Fink-Heimer) to rats surviving for varying periods after unilateral destruction of the substantia nigra. With survival time of 2–3 days, the Fink-Heimer method could demonstrate evenly and densely distributed argyrophilic spheroidal granules in the ipsilateral caudate putamen. These degenerating granules might represent the terminal degeneration of the nigro-neostriatal tract and probably correspond to the result by the histofluorescence method. From 4 days on the terminal degeneration rapidly decreased in amounts or disappeared, leaving a moderate number of beaded coarse fibers, which remained till 2 weeks. The result indicates the possibilities that the degeneration silver method could also be applicable to the demonstration of amine fibers by choosing staining condition and survival time optimal to each animal species and fiber tract.