Quantitative analysis of the spinal cord motoneuron under chronic compression: an experimental observation in the mouse

Abstract

We investigated quantitative changes in spinal cord motoneurons following chronic compression using a mouse model of cervical cord compression. Twenty-five tip-toe-walking Yoshimura (twy) mice with calcified mass lesions compressing the spinal cord posterolaterally at the C1-C2 vertebral levels were compared with five Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice that served as controls. Spinal cord motoneurons in the anterior grey horn between the C1 and C3 spinal cord segments were Nissl-stained and counted topographically and then analysed in relation to the extent of spinal cord compression. The number of motoneurons in C1-C3 spinal cord segments decreased significantly with a linear correlation with the transverse area of the spinal cord when the cord was compressed to 50-70% of control values. A significant reduction in the number of motoneurons occurred at the C2-C3 spinal cord segment compressed at the C1-C2 vertebral level. In contrast, at the level rostral to the C1 vertebra, the number of motoneurons increased significantly in proportion to the magnitude of compression. The current study demonstrates that a number of neurons, morphologically consistent with anterior horn cells, were observed at a rostral site absolutely free of external compression where no such cells normally exist.

Cervical myeloradiculopathy with entrapment neuropathy: a study based on the double-crush concept

“…Therefore, a decision as to which lesion should be treated ®rst is an issue of great debate. In our recent experimental studies using wheat germ agglutininhorseradish peroxidase-labelling method, 17,18 we described improvement in the retrograde axonal transport that correlated with functioning spinal cord motoneurones (spinal accessory motoneurones). However, extensive mechanical compression of the cord and nerve roots may result in serious neuronal damage even in a case with normal retrograde axonal transport.…”

Prognostic Value of 18F-FDG PET in Monosegmental Stenosis and Myelopathy of the Cervical Spinal Cord

“…At that stage, the process is still reversible, as is supported by the good clinical outcome after surgical intervention. Chronic compression, however, leads to atrophy and necrosis of anterior gray horn cells and the loss of glucose-consuming neurons, resulting in decreased 18 F-FDG uptake in the spinal cord (29,30).…”

Neurorestoratology evidence in an animal model with cervical spondylotic myelopathy

“…[11][12][13][14] Several recent animal studies on the CSM model presented histopathological consequences after chronic compression. [15][16][17] In the gray matter, the reduction in motor neuron number in the ventral horn as well as neuronal degeneration such as cavitation of cytoplasm and nuclear pyknosis and decrease in synapses are considered the initial pathomechanisms of CSM.…”