The disruption of the chronology of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the developing brain is an increasing issue of concern. The silver degeneration methods have recently been used to show how alcohol causes extensive cell death in neonate rats (Ikonomidou et. al. Science 257: 1056, 2000). These silver methods are also useful in assessing the time table of 'cell death-days' for neuronal populations as a complement to the well documented patterns and chronology of 'cell birthdays'.

The distinct pattern of degenerated cells in the ventral border of the anterior ventral thalamus is shown below:

The temporal histogram below illustrates peak times of cell death in the ventral septum of rat brain. The tabulation of all neuronal populations will identify critical periods during which brain development might be perturbed.

Related Topics:

• Introduction
• Scope of Stained Elements
• Compare With H&E
• Silver Degeneration Staining Evolution
• Neonatal Cell Death (apoptosis)
• Neurotoxicity Detection Paper
• Planning a Neurotoxicity Experiment

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