Structural and functional deficits of the hippocampus in hydrocephalic rats: the role of age at onset and duration of disease

We studied the pyramidal neurons of hippocampus in neonatal, juvenile and adult rats with hydrocephalus varying durations related these changes to their learning memory. Hydrocephalus was induced 7-day-old neonates, 4-week-old 16-week-old Albino by intra-cisternal injection 0.02-0.04 ml 150mg/ml kaolin sterile water (150 mg/ml). escape latency platform crossings Morris maze prior animal sacrifice at 2 4 weeks post induction neonates 8 juveniles adults. examined cresyl violet modified Golgi stain analyzed behavioural scores pyknotic indices. Statistical significance determined p<0.05. The basal dendrites were reduced hydrocephalic groups. In CA1, index significantly increased both groups but only adults sacrificed weeks. CA3 it greater number crossing lower than age matched controls. Pyramidal morphologically altered hydrocephalus, association spatial CA1 region young animals particularly vulnerable. Functional recovery occurs time a extent older animals.