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Glycogen distribution in mouse hippocampus
Author(s) -
Hirase Hajime,
Akther Sonam,
Wang Xiaowen,
Oe Yuki
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.24386
Subject(s) - glycogen , hippocampus , hippocampal formation , neuropil , neuroscience , glycogenolysis , biology , memory consolidation , endocrinology , central nervous system
The hippocampus is a limbic structure involved in the consolidation of episodic memory. In the recent decade, glycogenolysis in the rodent hippocampus has been shown critical for synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Astrocytes are the primary cells that store glycogen which is subject to degradation in hypoglycemic conditions. Focused microwave application to the brain halts metabolic activities, and therefore preserves brain glycogen. Immunohistochemistry against glycogen on focused microwave‐assisted brain samples is suitable for both macroscopic and microscopic investigation of glycogen distribution. Glycogen immunohistochemistry in the hippocampus showed a characteristic punctate signal pattern that depended on hippocampal layers. In particular, the hilus is the most glycogen‐rich subregion of the hippocampus. Moreover, large glycogen puncta (>0.5 µm in diameter) observed in neuropil areas are organized in a patchy pattern consisting of puncta‐rich and ‐poor astrocytes. These observations are discussed with respect to distinct hippocampal neural activity states observed in live animals.