【摘要】 目的　观察铝中毒痴呆模型大鼠中脑腹侧被盖区(VTA)多巴胺 (DA)神经元的形态学变化 ,探讨中枢多巴胺递质在学习、记忆中的作用。方法　以慢性铝中毒方式建立痴呆模型 ,以酪氨酸羟化酶 (TH)为DA神经元的阳性标记物 ,采取免疫细胞化学ABC法观察中脑VTATH免疫反应阳性神经元的形态学改变 ,利用图像分析系统测算VTATH免疫反应阳性神经元的数目 ,分析试验结果。结果　痴呆模型组中脑VTATH免疫反应阳性神经元数量明显下降 (P <0 0 1) ,部分神经元出现突起消失、胞体肿胀或碎裂等表现。结论　中脑VTADA神经元与认知功能关系密切 ,其病变可能同老年性痴呆有关。更多还原

【Abstract】 Objective To study the morphological changes of dopaminergic neurons in mesencephalic ventral tegmental area(VTA) of dementia model induced by aluminum and to discuss the possible role of VTA dopaminergic neurons in learning and memory. Methods Dementia model was established by 90 d exposure to aluminum chloride in drinking water ( 1 600 mg/L, ad libitum), VTA dopaminergic neurons were marked by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), morphological changes of VTA DA neurons were measured studied using immunocytochemical staining method, and TH immunorective postive neurons were measured by an image-process system. Results Compared with control group, the recognition ability was impaired and the TH immunorective postive neurons in VTA decreased sharply in dementia model group (P<0.01). Shortened or dissolved axons and dendrites and swelled body were observed with some of the TH immunorective positive neurons. Conclusion The dopaminergic neurons in VTA play an important role in recognition and may correlate with Alzheimer’s disease.更多还原