Anatomical sparing in the superior colliculus of hemispherectomized monkeys.
Using the monkey as a model for human hemispherectomy, the effects of early removal of a whole cerebral hemisphere on the cytoarchitecture and cytochrome oxidase histochemistry of the superior colliculus (SC) were evaluated. Results show that the SC ipsilateral to the cortical lesion suffers a 29.9% average volume reduction and a 32.7% total loss of neurons compared to the contralateral SC. Neuronal densities and metabolic activity are similar in normal and hemispherectomized monkeys. Furthermore, the ipsi- and contralesional SC receive retinal inputs as revealed with intraocular injections of tritiated proline. These data suggest that the superior colliculus retains functional capabilities following hemispherectomy in monkey.
Théoret
H
H
Groupe de Recherche en Neuropsychologie Expérimentale, Université de Montréal, CP 6128, PQ, H3C 3J7, Montréal, Canada. htheoret@caregroup.harvard.edu
Boire
D
D
Herbin
M
M
Ptito
M
M
D000818:Animals; D019575:Blindness, Cortical / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002452:Cell Count; D002541:Cerebral Decortication; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000032:analysis; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000473:pathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D014796:Visual Perception
D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV