Dendritic changes of the pyramidal neurons in layer V of sensory-motor cortex of the rat brain during the postresuscitation period

Experiments were performed on 40 Wistar rats. Total brain ischemia was induced by 10 min clamping of the cardiac blood vessels. The brains were examined in control rats, after 90 min and after 1, 3, 7, 30 and 90 days during the postresuscitation period. Histological sections were stained with the Golgi method. Morphometrical parameters, 12, of dendritic changes of the pyramidal neurons in layer V of sensory motor cortex (SMC) in rat brain were studied at different intervals of the postresuscitation period. Reduction of the dendrites of the pyramidal neurons due to the loss of the terminal branches of the oblique apical dendrites in layers III-IV was detected from the first day after ischemia. The maximal dendritic change was detected 3 and 7 days after ischemia. Decrease the volume of dendritic territory (54, 4%), the total dendritic length of the whole dendritic territory (56, 0%) and branching of dendrites, and decrease in the number of dendritic spines on apical dendrites in layers I-II (46, 1%) were the main changes during this period. Reduction of the total length of dendrites occurred mostly due to disappearance of the 2nd and 3rd order branches of the apical and basal dendrites. The change of dendrites neurons had returned to control levels after 30 days. By that time the diameter of the dendrites had increased, the varicosities on oblique apical and basal dendrites had disappeared, and the number of 2nd and 3rd order dendrites and of dendritic spines had increased. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.