Unusual type of ischemically induced synaptic degeneration studied by Hicks method

This study describes the degenerating axonal termination and filamentous synaptic degeneration after 30 minutes spinal cord ischemia followed by 3 days survival using Hicks neurofibrillar impregnation. From laminoarchitectonic point of view a clear evidence was gained supporting the original description obtained by Nauta method. The majority of degenerated boutons revealed by Hicks method was found in the deep layers of the dorsal horn and then with increasing density in the intermediate zone and partly in the neuropil of the anterior horn. These results confirm the ability of Hicks method as a reliable tool in systematic research of the ischemically damaged synaptic contacts.