title: Neuronal vacuolation in the basal nucleus of meynert caused by fetal hydrocephalus.
abstract: The basal nucleus of Meynert, which provides the major source of cholinergic input to the cerebral cortex, was investigated in fetal hydrocephalic brains (n = 5) in comparison to controls (n = 5). To detect alterations, the neurons of the basal nucleus were immunostained with an antibody against the calcium-binding protein calbindin. In the basal nucleus of hydrocephalic brains, a moderate number of vacuolated neurons were observed. Such vacuolation was not seen in control brains. Vacuolation is interpreted as a degenerative change after injury of basal nucleus axons in cases of fetal hydrocephalus. The neuronal alterations in the basal nucleus may account at least in part for residual deficits observed after shunt placement.
authors.affiliation: Neuroembryonic Research Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, University of Rostock, Gertrudenstrasse 9, D-18055 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ulfig
mesh_terms: D020532:Basal Nucleus of Meynert / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005333:Fetus; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*