Changes with Age in the Number and Size of Myelinated Axons in the Rat L4 Dorsal Spinal Root
- 1 January 1983
- journal article
- research article
- Published by S. Karger AG in Cells Tissues Organs
- Vol. 117 (3) , 187-192
- https://doi.org/10.1159/000145786
Abstract
The number and size of myelinated axons in the L4 dorsal spinal root were determined in young rats and compared to those in the adult (older than 1 year) and in the old rats (older than 2 years). While the total number of myelinated axons was about the same at all ages, the average overall axon diameter showed a growth-related increase in adult animals, followed by a decrease reflecting senile atrophy in old rats. It is suggested that in aging laboratory rats the extent of axon shrinkage could account for the occurrence of secondary radicular demyelination.Keywords
This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- Spinal radiculoneuropathy in aging rats: Demyelination secondary to neuronal dwindling?Acta Neuropathologica, 1983