Q. F. Zhua, C. Z. Zhanga,2, and T. M. Huab
aSchool of Life Sciences, Anqing Teachers College, Anqing, China
bSchool of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
Received January 04, 2011
Abstract—Ethanol-induced impairments to the structure of the cerebellar cortex were investigated in adult
mice treated with ethanol. Alcohol (15%) was given to a group of mice (Group E), and the mice in the control
group (Group C) were allowed to drink pure tap water. After 3 months, animals were sacrificed and processed
for histological observations of the cerebellar cortex using Nissl staining. The thickness of each cortical layer,
the density of neurons and the diameter of Purkinje cell (PC) soma were measured under light microscope. The
results showed that the cerebellar cortex in Group E exhibited a significant decline in the thickness of the cor-
tical cortex and neuronal density, and remarkable atrophy in PC soma occurred when compared to the control
group. Our findings indicate that ethanol induces a decline in cortical thickness, loss of cortical neurons and
atrophy in neuron volume, which might lead to cerebellar shrinkage after long-term alcohol abuse. Neuronal
atrophy may be caused by loss of cytoplasmic matrix and cellular organelle degeneration, resulting in a reduc-
tion in substance synthesis and energy supply in neurons. A decrease in cerebellar circuitry due to neuronal loss
might mediate a decline in cerebellar function in ethanol-treated mice.
Keywords: ethanol, cerebellar cortex, structure, mice
DOI: 10.1134/S1819712411020103
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