[Structural changes of cortical pyramidal neurons in oligophrenia. A Golgi study (author's transl)]

In four cases of oligophrenia we found significant alterations in dendritic spines of cortical pyramidal neurons (in area 10 and 11). Mostly, these changes consist in a decrease or absence of thick, short spines and in a priminence of abnormal long thin spines. We found also apical dendrites with areas of cystic degeneration. The number of spines in these pyramidal cells is extremely reduced. These neurons are also characterized by changes of basal dendrites. It is inferred that such microstructural alterations may sufficiently influence the functional competency of axospinodendritic synapses to disturb the integrative operation of cortical dendrite systems.