CNS effects of mechanically produced spina bifida

Neural-tube defects were produced by one of two mechanical perturbations in an amphibian model system: newly-formed neural tubes were slit dorsally, or an intrinsic mass (an eye primordium transplanted to the neural plate) was introduced to prevent dorsal closure. Electron microscopic analyses showed that the resulting CNS distortions invariably included paired spinal-cord tubes that developed ciliated central canals surrounded by cellular layers and rimmed laterally by axon-filled marginal zones. Specific axon tracts grew in appropriate locations through the regions of simple diastematomyelia. Even in the most histologically distorted regions, ventral roots developed, axons were myelinated, and neuromuscular synapses formed in adjacent muscles. On the other hand, an excess of cells populated the defects and in histologically distorted regions the axon tracts were clearly less well organized than in normal animals. Neural-crest cells and the notochord did not appear to be affected. In addition, distant neurons and axon tracts appeared normal. These mechanical lesions could produce spina bifida without hydrocephalus. It is concluded that mechanical lesions to the forming neural tube will produce mainly local effects with a strong tendency toward diastematomyelia.