LARGE AMINE-CONTAINING NEURONS IN THE CENTRAL GANGLIA OF LYMNAEA-STAGNALIS

A histochemical study was made of amine-containing neurones in the central ganglia of Lymnaea stagnalis. Several large catecholamine-containing neurones were detected, including a group in the right parietal ganglion and the largest cell in the right pedal ganglion. Biochemical analyses of the perikaryon of this giant pedal neurone showed that it contained approx 200 pg of dopamine but no detectable noradrenaline. Histochemical evidence for the presence of 5-hydroxytryptamine in some neurones was also obtained. None of the amine-containing neurones gave a positive histochemical reaction (Alcian Blue, Alcian Yellow) for neurosecretory material. Because the dopamine-containing neurone in the right pedal ganglion is readily located in living preparations, it would appear to be a useful model for studying the cellular role of neuronal dopamine. © 1979.