The distribution of anterogradely-labeled fibers and retrogradely-labeled cell bodies in the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) was mapped after injections of wheat-germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) into various structures of the basal forebrain in adult rats. WGA-HRP injections into the medial septum/vertical limb of the diagonal band nucleus resulted in: 1) dense anterograde labeling in the rostral, intermediate, and central subnuclei; and 2) retrograde labeling in the apical and central subnuclei. Injections into the lateral septum produced: 1) no anterograde labeling in the IPN; and 2) retrograde labeling which was dense in the apical subnucleus, moderate in the central and lateral subnuclei, and light in the intermediate subnucleus. Injections into the horizontal limb of the diagonal band nucleus resulted in: 1) anterograde labeling which was most pronounced in the central, rostral, and intermediate subnuclei; and 2) retrograde labeling which was strongest in the apical, central, and lateral subnuclei. After injections into the substantia innominata-magnocellular preoptic nucleus, there was: 1) dense anterograde labeling in the rostral and central subnuclei and moderate anterograde labeling in the intermediate subnucleus; and 2) essentially no retrograde cell labeling in the IPN. These findings demonstrate that the IPN receives inputs from, and projects to specific portions of the basal forebrain. The rostral and central subnuclei are the primary targets of inputs from the basal forebrain to the IPN, and the apical subnucleus is the primary source of IPN projections to the basal forebrain.