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Age-dependent changes in the glial cell nests of the canine rhinencephalic allocortex. A morphometric study
A Reihlen1, S Weis, G Obermaier
1Department of General Pathology and Neuropathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
The Anatomical Record
|March 1, 1994
Summary
Glial cell nests (GCN) in dog brains shrink with age, with fewer dark-nuclei cells but more pale-nuclei cells. Their origin from the subependymal layer is suggested, but their function remains unclear.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Comparative Anatomy
- Stereology
Background:
- Glial cell nests (GCN) are present in the rhinencephalic allocortex of dogs.
- Their morphological features and age-dependent changes are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the morphology and age-related changes in dog GCN.
- To estimate the volume of GCN and their constituent cells.
- To investigate the origin and potential function of GCN.
Main Methods:
- Stereological methods including Cavalieri's principle and optical disector.
- Estimation of brain, allocortex, and GCN volumes.
- Determination of numerical densities and total numbers of undifferentiated cells within GCN.
Main Results:
- GCN volume relative to allocortex volume decreases with age.
- Total cell number and density of medium-sized dark nuclei (CMD) cells decrease with age.
- Numerical density and total number of large pale nuclei (CLP) cells increase with age.
Conclusions:
- GCN volume and CMD cell populations diminish with canine aging.
- CLP cell populations increase with canine aging.
- GCN cells may originate from the subependymal layer, but their function and the significance of age-related changes are unknown.