Optic nerve fast axonal transport abnormalities in primates. Occurrence after short posterior ciliary artery occlusion
R. L. Radius
Fast axonal transport abnormalities in primate (Aotus trivirgatus) optic
nerve were studied in ten eyes at various intervals after occlusion of the
lateral short posterior ciliary circulation. Evidence of focal axonal
ischemia, as indicated by swelling of mitochondria and dissolution of
cytoplasmic detail, was noted as early as one hour after occlusion.
Accumulation of mitochondria, microvesicles, and dense bodies, indicating
focal interruption of axonal transport mechanisms, was noted in eyes
examined at 2, 4, and 6 hours. This accumulation of organelles was limited
to the region of the lamina cribrosa. Nerve head abnormalities were not
seen in two eyes studied at two weeks.
