International journal of developmental neuroscience : the official journal of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience
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Int. J. Dev. Neurosci. · Jun 2003
Comparative StudyThe effect on motor cortical neuronal development of focal lesions to the sub-cortical white matter in the neonatal rat: a model for periventricular leukomalacia.
Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is either a diffuse or cystic lesion of the periventricular white matter that leaves the overlying cortical grey matter largely intact. It is believed to result from hypoxia occurring pre- or perinatally and is a major cause of cerebral palsy. We have modelled PVL in rats comparing the effects of discrete injections of 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), a mitochondrial toxin, ibotenic acid (IBA), a glutamate analogue, or saline into the sub-cortical white matter on postnatal day 7 (P7). ⋯ There were significantly fewer calbindin and parvalbumin positive neurones in the motor cortex (MC) side ipsilateral to the 3-nitropropionic acid injection compared to the contralateral side. These persistent differences in expression of activity sensitive calcium binding proteins suggest alterations in local cortical circuitry without substantial loss of grey matter as is characteristic of periventricular leukomalacia. Changes in expression of Bax, cJun and non-phosphorylated neurofilaments during normal development are also described.