Loss of neurons in the red nucleus after spinal cord transection

Red nucleus neurons, particularly those of the caudal one-half of the nucleus, die or severely atrophy following complete spinal cord transection at T9. The size of residual horseradish peroxidase-labeled cells was smaller at 10 and 15 weeks, but those survivors which could be labeled at 25 weeks were normal in size. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of the red nucleus at 52 weeks postoperative showed loss of cells from all size groups.