Transneuronal Degeneration of Thalamic Nuclei following Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Rats

Figure 6

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on day 1 and day 14 after MCAo. (a, b) Day 1. (c, d) Day 14. (a, c) Images of the brain regions supplied by the MCA. The red box designates the putamen on the damaged side. The blue box designates the putamen on the control side. (b, d) Images of brain areas not supplied by the MCA. The red box designates the thalamic nuclei on the damaged side. The blue box designates the thalamic nuclei on the control side. Neurons in the damaged area stained positive for VEGF in the 1-day group, though differences in expression were observed in the thalamus and putamen. Staining results indicate that angiogenesis may have occurred in the damaged area 1 day following occlusion. In the 14-day group, neurons at the damaged site also stained positive for VEGF, though staining was also observed in the thalamus—a result remarkably different from that observed in the 1-day group. Staining results indicate that, by 14 days after surgery, levels of VEGF expression and angiogenesis may have increased in the thalamus. MCAo: middle cerebral artery occlusion.

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