The ultrastructure of tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate-poisoning. I. Studies on myelin and axonal alterations in the sciatic nerve

The effect of acrylamide on the peripheral nervous system of the baboon

In the baboon, acrylamide produces a clinical illness characterized by weakness and ataxia of the limbs, weakness of bulbar muscles, and finally tetraplegia. Histological examination shows extensive involvement of peripheral nerves, the main histological change being a Wallerian type of degeneration affecting the distal ends of the largest diameter nerve fibres. The phenomenon of `dying back' has been demonstrated in single teased fibres. Changes also occur in the paranodal myelin; these are not necessarily associated with degeneration of the axon, since intercalated segments and extension of myelin from neighbouring internodes are present in recovering animals. Demyelination of whole internodes is rare. Paranodal changes may be found a few millimetres proximal to complete degeneration, but may also occur on fibres which are otherwise normal in the length examined. The mechanism of the paranodal changes is uncertain, but they may indicate a secondary response of the Schwann cell to a primary change in the axon.

Axonal transport of proteins in experimental neuropathies

Axoplasmic flow of proteins is interrlupted in cats with neuropatlhy induced by acrylamide, but it is niot initerrupted in nzormlal cats and in those with neuropathy induced by tri-orthocresyl phiospliate. The proteins move from lumbosacral motor neurons along the ventral roots and from ganglion cells toward the spinal cord along the dorsal roots at about 1(1/2) millimeters per day.