Interneuronal Membrane Contacts and Syncytial Perforations in CA2 Hippocampal Area after Brain Trauma

Abstract

Membranes of pyramid neuron bodies located in CA2 hippocampal area were studied by electron microscopy after gunshot craniocerebral injury. In control group, asynaptic contacts and interneuronal syncytial perforations forming from tight junctions were observed. Contacts and perforations increased in size after trauma. Their number was maximum after severe gunshot injury. They reached their maximal size on days 5-7 after the injury.

Use of Cell Culture to Prove Syncytial Connection and Fusion of Neurons

“…We were the first to reveal with aid of electron microscope the syncytial connection in situ in the piglet enteral nervous system [30]. Subsquently, this way of interneuronal connection was shown in molluscs [31,32], in the crawfish peripheral nervous system [33], in cat autonomic ganglia [34], in rabbit hippocampus [35,36], and in the human cerebral cortex [12,37].…”

“…The syncytial cytoplasmic connections in these embryos were detected at the time when the developed chemical synapses still were absent. Besides, it is known that in pathology, when chemical synapses are damaged for the first time, a clear increase of the number and size of syncytial perforations is noted [35]. Possibly, in these cases, when the fine procession of information in chemical synapses is absent or attenuated, brain uses rough, but simple and stable form of impulse transduction between neurons with aid of syncytial pores and perforations.…”