Dictionary of Biological Psychology
classification of Dahlström and Fuxe
Annica Dahlström and Kjell Fuxe used what was then the novel technique of HISTOFLUORESCENCE to map the location of cells in the central nervous system containing the neurotransmitters NORADRENALINE (A1–A7, A11) and DOPAMINE (A8–10, A12–A15) and SEROTONIN (cell groups B1– B9). The work was magisterial, a landmark in the developing field of CHEMICAL NEUROANATOMY. Cell groups A1–A4 and B1–B4 were found in the MEDULLA OBLONGATA; A5–A7 and B3, B5 and B6 in the PONS; A8–A10 and B7-B9 in the MIDBRAIN and A11 and A12 in the DIENCEPHALON. Cell groups A13–A15 were discovered later. The classification scheme is still used, though perhaps less than previously.
The most common terms still used are A9 (the dopamine neurons of the SUBSTANTIA NIGRA pars compacta), A10 (the dopamine neurons of the VENTRAL TEGMENTAL AREA), A6 (the noradrenaline neurons of the LOCUS COERULEUS) and B5-B7 (the median raphe nucleus, caudal dorsal raphe and rostral dorsal raphe; see RAPHE NUCLEI).
Reference
Dahlström A. & Fuxe K. (1964) Evidence for the existence of monoamine-containing neurons in the central nervous system. I. Demonstration of monoamines in the cell bodies of brain stem neurons. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica 62, suppl. 232:3–55.
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