ULTRASTRUCTURAL-STUDY OF METHIONINE SULFOXIMINE-INDUCED ALZHEIMER TYPE-II ASTROCYTOSIS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 86  (2) , 285-300
Abstract
An ultrastructural study of cerebral cortex was performed in rats during the preictal period following the administration of the convulsant methionine sulfoximine (MSO). The morphologic changes were restricted to astrocytes and consisted of cytoplasmic enlargement, mitochondrial and rough endoplasmic reticulum proliferation, accumulation of glycogen, development of cisternal and saccular smooth endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear chromatin clumping and hydropic degenerative changes. These findings resemble those seen in experimental NH3 encephalopathy, suggesting an important role of NH3 in the evolution of these morphologic changes. The primary effect of MSO is possibly on astrocytes and abnormalities in astrocytes may play a role in the development of MSO-induced seizures.