[Ultrastructural changes in the cerebral cortex of an 100 1/2-year-old man]

Age changes in fields 39 and 40 (after Broadman) have been studied in a 100 years and 6 months old man died from peritonitis resulted from the surgical intervention, performed in connection with strangulation of the hernia. In the medical history there were no ++neuro-physical signs. The material was taken in 1 h 15 min after clinical death had been stated. The results obtained have been compared with those studied in the brain of persons, who had not yet reached the age of 100 years and had not any signs of ++neuro-physical disturbances and died after urgent surgical interventions in the abdominal cavity. In this group of persons the material for investigation was taken in 15-30 min after clinical death had been stated. The technique for treatment the material, its preparation for electron-microscopical examination is identical. Immersion fixation has been applied. The material obtained from an old animal fixed by means of vital perfusion of 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution is also used. In the person of 100 years and 6 months old the changes do not practically differ from those obtained from persons of younger age, however, the time from the statement of clinical death up to obtaining the material essentially influences preservation of the synaptic apparatus components.