Abstract
This study examined c-fos protein expression in the brain and spinal cord of rats following permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) above the rhinal fissure. At 1 h after right-sided MCA occlusion, Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) was detected in neurons not only in the ipsilateral cerebral cortex but also in the spinal cord. In the latter, Fos-LI was localized in the nucleus and perikarya of neurons in the grey matter, notably the large motor neurons in the ventral horn. Fos-LI was most intense at 2–4 h, but became undetectable after 48 h in the cerebral cortex and 72 h in the spinal cord. In sham-operated animals, Fos-LI was almost undetectable or virtually absent. It was also not detected in the core territory supplied by the MCA at any time points after arterial occlusion. When the ischaemia-induced neuronal damage in both the cerebral cortex and spinal cord was evaluated by Nissl staining, some neurons appeared atrophic. We conclude that the induction of Fos-LI in neurons of the cerebral cortex and spinal cord is linked respectively to early onset–short stimulation and persistent excitatory or disinhibition phenomenon as a result of focal ischaemic brain injury.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 16 September 1996 / Accepted: 29 November 1996
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wu, YP., Tan, CK. & Ling, EA. Expression of Fos-like immunoreactivity in the brain and spinal cord of rats following middle cerebral artery occlusion. Exp Brain Res 115, 129–136 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00005672
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00005672