An electron microscope study of the effects of acute ischaemia in the brain

The structural changes in the CNS of cats subjected to periods of 10 and 20 min of eschaemia have been studied. After 10 min of ischaemia the neurons show loss of granular endoplasmic reticulum and vacuolation of the persisting endoplasmic reticulum. After 20 min of ischaemia there is neuronal cell death, some synaptic degeneration. Glial foot processes swell and occlude the lumen of vessels. The significance of these changes is discussed.