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Loss of Nerve Cell Bodies in Caudal Locus Coeruleus Following Treatment of Neonates With 6-Hydroxydopa

  • East Tennessee State University
  • University Medical Center New Orleans
  • Tulane University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The locus coeruleus is a well defined nucleus in cresylechtviolet preparations and the perikarya are easily distinguished. The coeruleus neurons are thought to be noradrenergic and during development can be selectively affected by the neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopa (6-OHDOPA). In 6-month-old rats that were treated on day of birth with 6-OHDOPA (60 mg/kg, i.p.) there was a 32% loss of nerve cell bodies in the locus coeruleus. While it was apparent that loss of cell bodies occurred throughout the entire nucleus, the greatest loss of perikarya was from the caudal extent of the nucleus. It is known that sprouting of noradrenergic terminals occurs in the cerebellum of rats following treatment of newborns with 6-OHDOPA. That there are fewer cell bodies to contribute additional terminals further dramatizes this sprouting phenomenon.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalNeuroscience Letters
Volume13
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1979
Externally publishedYes

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