title: The rabbit retina: a long-term model system for aluminum-induced neurofibrillary degeneration.
abstract: Aluminum (Al) was injected into the rabbit eye as a potential long-term model system for Al-induced neurofibrillary degeneration (NFD). Neurofibrillary tangles made up of 10 nm phosphorylated neurofilaments were observed in a subpopulation of retinal ganglion cells, located primarily in the peripheral retina. The distribution of affected cells suggested a differential susceptibility of ganglion cells to Al intoxication. Importantly, none of the animals demonstrated any of the central neurological dysfunctions characteristic of previous Al intoxication models. The retinal model should allow for long-term studies of Al intoxication and its potential relationship to neurofibrillary degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
authors.affiliation: Alice R. McPherson Laboratory of Retina Research, Center for Biotechnology, Baylor College of Medicine, Woodlands, TX 77381.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Fry
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Watt
mesh_terms: D000535:Aluminum / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009454:Neurofibrils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D000535:Aluminum