The impact of one-time exposure to combined stress on the neuronal parameters of neocortex and hippocampus of old rats

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess morphological and morphometric parameters of the neocortex and hippocampus neurons of old rats exposed to one-time combined stress by noise, light and immobilization for an hour. Experimental materials were taken by decapitation, on the 7^th day in the morning hours. We figured out that the influence of combined stress enhances significantly the process of neuronal death in the neocortex of the aging animals’ brain. Morphological changes are manifested by increasing number of hyperchromic neurons, vacuolization and increasing cell cytoplasm’s area. In the hippocampal neurons of the CA1 area morphological changes were not detected.