Axonal degeneration induced by experimental noninvasive minor head injury.
Minor head injury or concussion was produced in experimental animals by an acceleration-deceleration non-impact injury. The animals sustained a brief loss of consciousness and no sequelae were observed. The brains were examined at 7 days by means of the Nauta and Fink-Heimer techniques. Degenerating axons were noted in the inferior colliculus, pons, and dorsolateral medulla. Degeneration was not seen in the subcortical white matter, thus suggesting a primary brain-stem locus for concussion. These findings also suggest that, in some instances, minor head injury or concussion can be associated with organic damage to the central nervous system.
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000473:pathology; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008297:Male