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.
Groupe de Recherche en Neuropsychologie Expérimentale, Université de Montréal, CP 6128, PQ, H3C 3J7, Montréal, Canada. htheoret@caregroup.harvard.edu
H
H
Théoret
D
D
Boire
M
M
Herbin
M
M
Ptito
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