RNA content of normal and axotomized retinal ganglion cells of rat and goldfish.

The responses of rat and goldfish retinal ganglion cells to axotomy were examined by a quantitative cytochemical method for RNA and by morphometric measurement 1-60 (rat) and 3-90 (goldfish) days after interruption of one optic nerve or tract intracranially. Unoperated control animals were studied also. The RNA content of axotomized neurons of rat fell 7-60 days postoperatively.

Viability of retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve crush in adult rats.

The response of retinal ganglion cells to optic nerve crush was examined in the hooded rat. Intracranial nerve crush produces a transient shrinkage of the retinal ganglion cells during the first several weeks postoperatively but partial recovery of cell size then appears to occur. This transient response is considered to be a direct response to axotomy.

Nature of behavioral deficits and degree of recovery differ after lesions of dorsal and ventral aspects of rostral cortex.

Bilateral lesions of either the dorsal or the ventral aspects of the rostral half of the cortex in rats both significantly depressed eating, drinking and body weight, but animals with dorsal cortex lesions recovered more quickly and more completely than those with ventral lesions. Furthermore, spontaneous locomotor activity in the open field of animals with ventral cortex, lesions was unaltered relative to this group's preoperative level. On the other hand, relative to their preoperative baseline, the activity of animals with dorsal lesions was significantly depressed during the early postoperative period, and then was significantly elevated during intermediate and late periods.