Ethanol induces a reduction in cortical thickness, neuronal density and somatic shrinkage in the cerebellar cortex of adult mice

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 cortical 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 reduction 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.