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Modeling Neuronal Death and Degeneration in Mouse Primary Cerebellar Granule Neurons
Published on: November 6, 2017
Nerve cell death types in the edematous human cerebral cortex
1Institute of Biological Investigations, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela. ocastejo@cantv.net
Journal of Submicroscopic Cytology and Pathology
|February 8, 2007
Summary
Human brain edema involves multiple nerve cell death pathways, with an oncotic-apoptotic continuum leading to necrosis being predominant in conditions like hydrocephalus and brain trauma.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Edematous cerebral cortex in conditions like congenital hydrocephalus, brain trauma, and vascular anomalies presents complex cellular changes.
- Understanding the distinct and overlapping mechanisms of nerve cell death is crucial for diagnosing and treating these neurological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological cell types of nerve cell death in the human edematous cerebral cortex using transmission electron microscopy.
- To elucidate the predominant pathways of cell death in relation to brain edema severity and underlying causes.
Main Methods:
- Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine cortical biopsies from 18 patients.
- Morphological analysis focused on nuclear and cytoplasmic changes, organelle integrity, and the presence of apoptotic or autophagic features.
Main Results:
- Nerve cells exhibited nuclear alterations, including lobulated nuclei and perinuclear cistern changes, with varying nuclear pore complex integrity.
- Most nonpyramidal nerve cells, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes showed an oncotic-apoptotic-necrotic continuum; some displayed only apoptosis or oncosis.
- Autophagic cell death was rarely observed.
Conclusions:
- Multiple nerve cell death mechanisms operate in the human edematous cerebral cortex, influenced by anoxic-ischemic conditions.
- An oncotic-apoptotic continuum leading to necrosis is the predominant cell death pathway in human cerebral cortex nerve cell populations.
- Cell death is linked to edema severity, anoxia-ischemia, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, calcium overload, and caspase pathways.
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