Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) neurons within the central nucleus of the rat amygdala were examined using light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical techniques. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-immunoreactive neurons were located in the ventral part and less frequently in the central part of the central nucleus. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide positive terminals were distributed throughout the medial part of a cytoarchitectonically distinct central zone of the central nucleus. Three types of terminals formed synaptic contacts on VIP-immunoreactive neurons: type A containing round vesicles, type B containing many pleomorphic vesicles and type C containing fewer pleomorphic vesicles. All VIP-immunoreactive boutons observed were of type A variety, and made asymmetrical and symmetrical synaptic contacts on both VIP-immunoreactive and nonreactive neurons within the central nucleus.