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Quantitation and three‐dimensional reconstruction of Ch4 nucleus in the human basal forebrain
Author(s) -
Halliday Glenda M.,
Cullen Karen,
Cairns Murray J.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
synapse
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.809
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1098-2396
pISSN - 0887-4476
DOI - 10.1002/syn.890150102
Subject(s) - cresyl violet , basal forebrain , cytoarchitecture , cholinergic neuron , nucleus , basal (medicine) , biology , anatomy , stereology , cholinergic , staining , neuroscience , pathology , medicine , endocrinology , insulin , genetics
Abstract The basal nucleus of Meynert, incorporating the Ch4 group of cholinergic neurons, was examined in six patients with no signs of neurological abnormalities. The ages of the patients ranged from 20 to 80 years. Despite a number of descriptions of these neurons, few age‐related studies have been dedicated to the analysis of the entire anteroposterior extent of the nucleus. Staining with cresyl violet and acetylcholinesterase histochemistry, alone or in combination, was used to identify the cytoarchitectural organization of the Ch4. Computer‐assisted morphometry was used for three‐dimensional visualization and quantitation. The three‐dimensional computer reconstructions revealed a continuous ribbon of neurons with a highly variable density. Four distinct subregions could be clearly identified in all cases by their cytoarchitecture and cellular morphology, although these subgroups were different to those previously described. There were no quantitative differences between the hemispheres in volume, density or cell number of the Ch4, although equivalent levels varied in area and density. The measures were similar in all cases with the exception of the case aged 80 years old. The data demonstrate individual variability in three dimensions and confirm previous studies that found only a mild decline of the Ch4 in old age. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.