Ultrastructural changes in substantia nigra and striatum observed on a mouse model of Parkinson's disease induced by MPTP administration
Lewandowska, E.; Kurkowska-Jastrzebska, I.; Lechowicz, W.; Członkowska, A.; Członkowski, A.
Folia Neuropathologica 37(4): 239-242
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 1641-4640 PMID: 10705644 Document Number: 505189
The study was carried out on a mouse model of Parkinson's disease induced by the administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-neurotoxin which damages dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra. Occurrence of dark degenerated neurons was the most prominent ultrastructural change. They were characterized by the progressive condensation of cytoplasm and nuclear chromatin as well as by the light mitochondria and dilated cisternae of Golgi apparatus. Dark degenerated neurons were found particularly often on the 7th day after toxication, however on the last day of the observation, only a few neurons showed the features of dark degeneration. It is likely that degenerative changes led to death in the part of neurons only.