We investigated the reactive cytoskeletal changes following physical damage to axons in the rodent neocortex and compared these with the earliest neuronal alterations seen in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Insertion of a 25 gauge needle into the rodent somatosensory cortex resulted in ring- and club- like axonal changes characterized by an accumulation of neurofilaments. Morphologically and neurochemically identical abnormal axons were present within neocortical β-amyloid deposits of individuals in the early stages of AD. Physically damaged rat cortical axons may therefore serve as a model for the early neuronal pathology of AD. Furthermore, these results suggest that insoluble β-amyloid deposition may physically damage local axons, with further neurofibrillary changes due to the reactive neuronal response to this type of injury.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
Research Group:	Neurosciences
Research Field:	Neurosciences not elsewhere classified
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical health
Objective Field:	Clinical health not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	King, CE (Dr Carolyn King)
UTAS Author:	Jacobs, I (Mrs Irene Jacobs)
UTAS Author:	Dickson, TC (Professor Tracey Dickson)
UTAS Author:	Vickers, JC (Professor James Vickers)
ID Code:	46811
Year Published:	1997
Web of Science® Times Cited:	29
Deposited By:	Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Deposited On:	2007-09-04
Last Modified:	2007-09-04
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