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Ultrastructural correlates in pathology of nigrostriatal neurons after systemic MPTP administration in cats

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Abstract

Effects of a specific neurotoxin, N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), which selectively affects dopaminergic structures, on the substantia nigra pars compacta, caudate nucleus, ventrolateral thalamic nucleus, hippocampus, and cerebellar cortex have been studied by electron microscopy in cats. Mass damage of the neuronal somata and axon terminals was observed only among the nigrostriatal neurons up to complete destruction in almost half of units. The majority of remaining neurons demonstrated a varying degree of dystrophic changes, mainly of the hydropic type. Submicroscopic characteristics of damaged nigral neurons indicated the disturbance of permeability of neuronal plasma membranes, disorders of the water-salt metabolism, suppression of mitochondrial functions, and disintegration of structural proteins, etc. However, signs of reparative processes together with destructive ones have been observed in part of the nigral neurons. The former may be indicative of the possibility of structural and functional restoration of intracellular organelles. Participation of the elements of the blood-brain barrier in the mechanism of general MPTP toxicity is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine

    L. F. Burchinskaya

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  1. L. F. Burchinskaya
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Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 25, No. 5, pp 349–354, September–October, 1993.

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Burchinskaya, L.F. Ultrastructural correlates in pathology of nigrostriatal neurons after systemic MPTP administration in cats. Neurophysiology 25, 284–292 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01054259

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01054259

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