Ventricular Dilatation Over Several Weeks Following Induction of Excitotoxic (Systemic Lithium/Pilocarpine) Lesions: Potential Role of Damage to the Substantia Nigra Reticulata

Abstract

Time-dependent atrophy of cerebral space and enlargement of the lateral ventricles were noted in healthy rats 1 to 100 days after the induction of seizures by a single systemic injection of lithium and pilocarpine. The rate of atrophy was most strongly correlated (0.90) with the log (base 10) of the time in days. Most of the degeneration had occurred within about 20 to 30 days after the seizure-induced brain trauma. Concomitant reduction in the area of the substantia nigra reticulata was the most powerful predictor of ventricular enlargement at the level of the caudate-putamen.

Keywords:

• Seizure
• substantia nigra reticulate
• thalamus lateral ventricles
• rat
• insidious necrosis