A Study On Cerebral Neurons And Serotoninergic Mechanisms Post Multiple Cerebral Concussion

Objective: To establish the model of multiple cerebral concussion(MCC) in rats, observe the histological changes of cerebral cortex, dorsal hippocampus, dentate gyrus and brainstem reticular formation, and serotoninergic neurons and its nerve fiber post-MCC, our target is study cerebral neurons and serotoninergic nerve changes in brain regions related to cognitive deficits, thus to understand the neurobiologic mechanisms of cognitive behavioral dysfunction after MCC in rats.Methods: A rats MCC model was duplicated using a metallic pendulum -striker concussive device. Fifty—six male Sprague—Dawley rats were random divided into six MCC groups:1d, 2d,4d,8d, 16d and 24d post-injury. One control was used. Frozen sections were stained with Nissel and 5- hydroxytryptamin(5-HT) and tryptophan hydroxylase(TPH) immunochemistry S-P method. Then pycnosis degeneration neurons in the brain area mentioned above were observed and counted using optical micro -scope and the expre- ssion of serotoninergic neurons and TPH in the brainstem were quantitated by image analysis system. In addition, the changes of seroto -ninergic nerve fiber in cerebral cortex, septal area, accumbens nucleus, thalamus, amygdaloid body and hippocampus were also detected.