The effect of advanced old age on the neurone content of the cerebral cortex

摘要: The effect of advanced old age on the nerve cell content cerebral cortex was examined in 19 non-demented persons aged 69-95 years, using a Quantimet 720 image analysing computer to make area proportion measurements. Neurone loss around 1.0% per annum found both neocortex and medial hippocampus. There also significant shrinkage neurones Macroscopic measurements hemispheres by means point-counting morphometry showed corresponding reduction volume white matter amounting about 0.8% annum, but only minor change volume. This finding is consistent with occurrence dendritic growth surviving neocortical neurones. By contrast, there appears be no compensatory proliferation hippocampus since tissue atrophy commensurate this region.