Structural brain changes in Ser129-phosphorylated alpha-synuclein rats based on voxel-based morphometry.

Structural brain changes in Ser129-phosphorylated alpha-synuclein rats based on voxel-based morphometry. Behav Brain Res. 2020 Jun 24;:112786 Authors: Wang J, Tan Y, Peng Q, Zeng W, Yang X, Chen C, Wu Y, Xu Y, Cao X Abstract Parkinson's disease has become one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. Pathological changes typically manifest following dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra and abnormal alpha-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation in the neurons. α-Syn is the major component of Lewy bodies. However, research pertaining to the spread of abnormal α-syn aggregations, which results in specific damage to the brain structure and function, is lacking. In the present study, full-length human α-syn fibrils were injected into the medial forebrain bundle of rats, with an experimental endpoint of 6 months. Histological analysis was conducted to observe the pathological progress of abnormal endogenous α-syn aggregation and nerve fiber quality. Changes in gray and white matter integrity were quantitatively analyzed using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Behavioral changes were observed over the 6-month period. Histological analysis showed reduced dopamine transporter levels in the striatum of the experimental rats; widespread abnormal endogenous α-syn accumulation; and damaged, sparse, and disordered nerve fibers in the experimental group. VBM showed that at 6 months after surgery, bilateral anterior limbic, bilateral infer...
Source: Behavioural Brain Research - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Behav Brain Res Source Type: research