Brain cells morphological change

An increase in plethora and focal dystrophic changes in the endocrine system matches clinical observations of changes in adrenal and thyroid function, as well as changes in local and general vascular dystonia, all detected in humans poisoned by OCP. Morphological changes in the brain s nerve cells conform to information on the disruption of reflex activity in the early stages of OCP exposure. 

Figure 6. Microphotographs illustrating the morphological changes associated with different stages of the in vitro growth patterns for cell populations isolated from brains of 15-day old mouse embryos (21)...

In contrast to the aforementioned cannabinoid neuroprotection, some studies have reported a neurotoxic effect of THC. Thus, morphological changes in the hippocampus, decreases in the mean volume, synaptic density and dendritic length of CA3 pyramidal neurons, and reduced neuronal density in rat hippocampus associated with chronic THC oral administration have been described (Scallet et al. 1987). However, others could not find any significanthistopathological alteration in the brains of rats and mice treated orally with very high doses of THC for 2 years (Chan et al. 1996). Likewise, direct intracranial administration of THC or WIN 55,212-2 to rats for 1 week did not induce neural cell apoptosis (Galve-Roperh et al. 2000). 

Sigma-2 receptor-mediated induction of morphology changes and apoptotic cell death may have important implications for the treatment of psychoses. Sigma receptors occur in high density in regions of the brain which... 

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