Impact of Hydrocephalus on Rat Brain's Extracellular Space
Author Information
Author(s): Marc R Del Bigio, Terry L Enno
Primary Institution: University of Manitoba
Hypothesis
The extracellular compartment is reduced in size and its composition changes in rat brains with kaolin-induced hydrocephalus.
Conclusion
Compositional changes in the extracellular compartment are negligible in the cerebral cortex of hydrocephalic rats at various ages.
Supporting Evidence
- The extracellular space in cortical layer 1 was reduced significantly from 16.5% to 9.6% in adult rats with hydrocephalus.
- Neurocan increased only in the periventricular white matter following neonatal induction and 3 weeks duration hydrocephalus.
- Juvenile and adult onset hydrocephalus was associated with no significant changes.
Takeaway
When rats have a condition called hydrocephalus, the space around their brain cells gets squished, but the stuff in that space doesn't change much.
Methodology
The study involved inducing hydrocephalus in rats and using freeze substitution electron microscopy and Western blotting to analyze the extracellular compartment.
Limitations
The study did not assess all brain extracellular substances and focused primarily on specific proteoglycans.
Participant Demographics
Neonatal, juvenile, and young adult Sprague Dawley rats were used.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.0141
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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