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A study of axonal degeneration in the optic nerves of aging mice

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Abstract

The optic nerves of C57BL/6J mice ranging from 3 to 30 months were examined by electron microscopy. At all ages investigated, optic nerve axons contained enlarged mitochondria with abnormal cristae. With increasing age, a large number of necrotic axons were observed and were in the process of being phagocytized. The abnormal mitochondria may represent preliminary changes that eventually lead to necrosis of the axon.

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Author notes

  1. John E. Johnson Jr.

    Present address: National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore City Hospitals, Baltimore, Maryland, 21224

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Research Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, 94035

    John E. Johnson Jr., D. E. Philpott & Jaime Miquel

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  1. John E. Johnson Jr.
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  2. D. E. Philpott
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  3. Jaime Miquel
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Johnson, J.E., Philpott, D.E. & Miquel, J. A study of axonal degeneration in the optic nerves of aging mice. AGE 1, 50–55 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02439874

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