Skip to main content
Log in

Changes in the hippocampus and the cerebellum resulting from hypoxic insults: frequency and distribution

  • Regular Papers
  • Published:
Acta Neuropathologica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Detailed neurohistological studies were undertaken on 35 cases of cardiac arrest, 17 of hypoglycaemia and 16 of status epilepticus. It was found that the frequency and pattern of selective vulnerability in the hippocampus were similar following cardiac arrest, hypoglycaemia and status epilepticus with the exception that the lateral limb of the dentate fascia was more frequently involved in hypoglycaemia than in the other two groups of cases. Within each group, however, CA1 was the most vulnerable. The cerebellum was less frequently affected in hypoglycaemia and status epilepticus than after cardiac arrest. These findings are compared with recent experimental studies in the rodent which have suggested that the pattern of neuronal damage in each of the three conditions is different.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Auer RN (1986) Hypoglycemic brain damage. Stroke 17:488–496

    Google Scholar 

  2. Auer RN, Kalimo H, Olsson Y, Wieloch T (1985) The dentate gyrus in hypoglycemia: pathology implicating excitotoxin-mediated neuronal necrosis. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 67:279–288

    Google Scholar 

  3. Auer RN, Wieloch T, Olsson Y, Siesjo BK (1984) The distribution of hypoglycemic brain damage. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 64:177–191

    Google Scholar 

  4. Barcroft J (1925) The respiratory functions of the blood. Part 1 Lessons from high altitudes. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  5. Brierley JB, Brown AW, Meldrum BS (1971) The nature and time course of the neuronal alterations resulting from oligaemia and hypoglycaemia in the brain of Macaca mulatta. Brain Res 25:483–499

    Google Scholar 

  6. Brierley JB, Graham DI (1984) Hypoxia and vascular disorders of the central nervous system. In: Adams JH, Corsellis JAN, Duchen LW (eds) Greenfield's neuropathology, 4th edn. Arnold, London, pp 125–207

    Google Scholar 

  7. Brierley JB, Meldrum BS, Brown AW (1973) The threshold and neuropathology of cerebral “anoxic-ischemic” cell change. Arch Neurol 29:367–374

    Google Scholar 

  8. Brown AW (1977) Structural abnormalities in neurones. J Clin Pathol [Suppl] (R Coll Pathol) 11:155–169

    Google Scholar 

  9. Courville CB (1957) Late cerebral changes incident to severe hypoglycemia (insulin shock). Their relation to cerebral anoxia. Arch Neurol Psychiatry 78:1–14

    Google Scholar 

  10. Lorente de No R (1934) Studies on the structure of the cerebral cortex. II: Continuation of the study of the Ammonic System. J Psychol Neurol 46:113–177

    Google Scholar 

  11. Meldrum D (1985) Possible therapeutic applications of antagonists of excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters. Clin Sci 68:113–122

    Google Scholar 

  12. Nevander G, Ingvar M, Auer R, Siesjo BK (1985) Status epilepticus in well-oxygenated rats causes neuronal necrosis. Ann Neurol 18:281–290

    Google Scholar 

  13. Richardson JC, Chambers RA, Heywood PM (1959) Encephalopathies of anoxia and hypoglycemia. Arch Neurol 1:178–190

    Google Scholar 

  14. Rothman SM, Olney JW (1986) Glutamate and the pathophysiology of hypoxic/ischemic brain damage. Ann Neurol 19:105–111

    Google Scholar 

  15. Smith M-L, Auer RN, Siesjo BK (1984) The density and distribution of ischemic brain injury in the rat following 2–10 min of forebrain ischemia. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 64:319–332

    Google Scholar 

  16. Weil A, Liebert E, Heilbrunn G (1938) Histopathologic changes in the brain in experimental hyperinsulinism. Arch Neurol Psychiatry 39:467–481

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ng, T., Graham, D.I., Adams, J.H. et al. Changes in the hippocampus and the cerebellum resulting from hypoxic insults: frequency and distribution. Acta Neuropathol 78, 438–443 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00688181

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00688181

Key words

Navigation