Fluoro-Jade C staining in the assessment of neurodegeneration in the thalamus of pilocarpine-treated mice

Abstract

Objective To detect degenerative neurons by Fluoro⁃Jade C (FJC) that may occur in the thalamus of pilocarpine⁃treated mice and to understand the long⁃term pathologic changes of thalamusand recurrent seizure mechanism in chronic epilepsy. Methods Male adult mice (Kunming stain, n = 10) were divided into pilocarpine ⁃ treated group (n = 5) and controls (n = 5). Pilocarpine ⁃ treated mice were sacrificed at 12 h after status epilepticus. Brain coronal sections in the thalamus level were subject to FJC staining. Finally, FJC⁃stained brain sections were examined under fluorescence microscope to identify the shape and overall distribution of the Fluoro ⁃Jade C positive cells in the thalamus. Results The FJC ⁃ positive staining cells showed a bright green color in the thalamus tissue and fine processes with neuronal profiles. There was a continuity of thalamic damage and neuronal damage in functionally heterogenous thalamic nuclei. They were not detected in control animals. Conclusion This study successfully applied FJC staining to demonstrate massive neurodegeneration in the thalamus, which will benefit further understanding of long ⁃ term brain pathologic changes and recurrent seizure mechanism in temporal lobe epilepsy. DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1672⁃6731.2012.01.014