Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The occurrence of dark neurons in the normal and deafferentated lateral vestibular nucleus in the rat

Observations by light and electron microscopy

  • Original Investigations
  • Published:
Acta Neuropathologica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Summary

The lateral vestibular nucleus was studied by light and electron microscopy in normal rats as well as in rats in which the anterior cerebellar vermis was destroyed. Dark neurons were seen in many of the operated rats but were rarely found in normal control animals. The dark neurons were not seen in adjacent nuclei. In additional rats, it was found that anoxia, extra anaesthetic, postmortem rough handling, and sham operations did not increase the frequency of dark neurons. These data indicate that dark neurons might not always be artifactual and that the lateral vestibular nucleus appears to be a focal point for their occurrence.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Brown, A. W., Brierley, J. B.: Anoxic-ischaemic cell changes in rat brain. Light microscopic and fine-structural observations. J. neurol. Sci.16, 59–84 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cammermeyer, J.: I. An evaluation of the significance of the “dark” neuron. Ergebn. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch.36, 1–61 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cammermeyer, J.: “Ischemic neuronal disease” of Spielmeyer. Arch. Neurol. (Chic.)29, 391–393 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, Elsa B., Pappas, G. D.: Dark profiles in the apparently normal central nervous system: A problem in the electron microscopic identification of early anterograde axonal degeneration. J. comp. Neurol.136, 375–396 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cotte, G.: Etude critique de la signification de l'état hyperchromophile des cellules nerveuses. Arch. Biol. (Liège)68, 297–380 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cowan, W. M.: Anterograde and retrograde transneuronal degeneration in the central and peripheral nervous system. In: Contemporary research methods in neuroanatomy, W. J. H. Nauta and S. O. E. Ebbesson (Eds.), pp. 217–251. New York: Springer 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Einarson, L., Krogh, E.: Variations in the basophilia of nerve cells associated with increased cell activity and functional stress. J. Neurol. Neurosurg.18, 1–12 (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  • Flesch, M.: Structur der nervenzellen in peripheren ganglienzellen. Tagebl. vol. 58, pp. 412 to 413. Strassburg: Verslg. Dtsch. Naturforsch. Ärzte 1885

    Google Scholar 

  • Hydén, H.: Protein metabolism in the nerve cell during growth and function. Acta physiol. scand., Suppl. 12,6, 1–136 (1943)

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, J. E., Jr.: An ultrastructural study of the lateral vestibular nucleus in the rat: Changes in glial cells following partial deafferentation. Proc. EMSA, New Orleans, Louisiana, pp. 658–659 (1973)

  • Johnson, J. E., Jr.: Alterations in synaptic terminal types in the lateral vestibular nucleus of the rat following partial deafferentation. Anat. Rec.178, 383–384 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Krogh, E.: Effect of acute anoxia on the large motor cells in the spinal cord. Acta Jutland, Suppl. 17, 1–40 (1945)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mugnaini, E.: “Dark cells” in electron micrographs from the central nervous system of vertebrates. J. Ultrastruct. Res.12, 235–236 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Peach, R.: Fine structural features of light and dark cells in the trigeminal ganglion of the rat. J. Neurocytol.1, 151–160 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, T. P. S., Erulkar, S. D.: Transneuronal cell degeneration in the auditory relay nuclei of the cat. J. Anat. (Lond.)96, 249–268 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sotelo, C., Javoy, F., Agid, Y., Glowinsky, J.: Injection of 6-hydroxydopamine in the substantia nigra of the rat. I. Morphological study. Brain Res.58, 269–290 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stensaas, S. S., Edwards, C. Q., Stensaas, L. J.: An experimental study of hyperchromic nerve cells in the cerebral cortex. Exp. Neurol.36, 472–487 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Windle, W. F., Becker, R. F., Weil, A.: Alterations in brain structure after asphyxiation at birth. J. Neuropath. exp. Neurol.3, 224–238 (1944)

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, I. J., Rowley, W. F.: Histochemical alterations of ventral horn cells resulting from chronic hemispherectomy or chronic dorsal root section. Exp. Neurol.26, 460–481 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurosciences Branch, Ames Research Center, 94035, Moffett Field, California, USA

    John E. Johnson Jr. (Dr. Johnson is an NRC Associate)

Authors
  1. John E. Johnson Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This research was supported by NASA Task # 970-21-11-11 and NIH Training Grant # 5 TO1 GM00793-11 at Tulane University.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Johnson, J.E. The occurrence of dark neurons in the normal and deafferentated lateral vestibular nucleus in the rat. Acta Neuropathol 31, 117–127 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00688146

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00688146

Key words

Search

Navigation