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Abstract
The distribution of substance P immunoreactive sites was investigated by immunoenzymatic
methods in a large series of paraffin embedded human brain sections from the collection
assembled by Oscar and Cécile Vogt several decades ago, as well as from more recent
post-mortem material. These studies demonstrated that substance P immunoreactivity
was preserved in archival material permitting a detailed account of the localization
of immunoreactive cell bodies, fibre networks and tracts in the human brain. Previous
observations made on experimental animals and man were confirmed and extended. Additionally,
substance P immunoreactive cell bodies were seen in most cortical areas and novel
features were noted in the distribution of substance P-containing elements in the
tuberal region, corpus striatum, substantia nigra (particularly in relationship to
blood vessels) and in association with melanin-containing cells. Reconstruction of
some substance P pathways was attempted by the analysis of semi-serial sections in
more than one plane. Immunocytochemistry, in combination with image analysis, enabled
some measurements of the differential concentrations of substance P immunoreactive
material to be made and allowed a close correlation of this with defined anatomical
landmarks or enkephalin immunoreactive sites.