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Synaptic reorganization in the rabbit hippocampus after lesion of commissural afferents

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Summary

The degeneration of commissural afferents to the hippocampus in the rabbit was studied by using the Fink-Heimer degeneration method, electron microscopy, and the combined Golgi/EM technique. The stratum oriens (CA3) was selected for quantitative electron microscopic evaluation of postlesional changes since the degeneration of commissural fibers as seen in Fink-Heimer preparations was dense throughout the width of that layer. Accordingly, in electron micrographs of stratum oriens many electron-dense degenerating boutons were found after short survival times (3 and 6 days, respectively), most of them (96%) in synaptic contact with dendritic spines. In the fine structural analysis of Golgi-impregnated CA3 pyramidal cells, spines of basal dendrites were identified as postsynaptic elements of degenerating commissural afferents in stratum oriens.

Three days after the lesion, the number of intact synapses/unit area was reduced in stratum oriens of CA3 to 64% of the control; 20% of the synapses were degenerating. Thus, part of the degenerated synapses had disappeared. Evidence is provided that phagocytosis of degenerated boutons still attached to fragments of dendritic spines played a role in this process.

Seven weeks after the lesion, the number of intact synapses had returned to control level, suggesting reactive growth of synaptic structures. When the ratio of spine synapses versus shaft synapses was compared with controls, no change had occurred. Thus, after an initial loss of spine synapses after short survival times, new spines have been formed in parallel with ingrowth (sprouting) of neighbouring nonlesioned afferents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurobiology, Max-Planck-Institut für Hirnforschung, Deutschordenstr. 46, D-6000, Frankfurt/M. 71, Federal Republic of Germany

    Michael Frotscher, Cordula Nitsch & Rolf Hassler

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  1. Michael Frotscher
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  2. Cordula Nitsch
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  3. Rolf Hassler
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Frotscher, M., Nitsch, C. & Hassler, R. Synaptic reorganization in the rabbit hippocampus after lesion of commissural afferents. Anat Embryol 163, 15–30 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00315767

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