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Neuropediatrics 1993; 24(1): 25-29
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1071508
Original article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Absence of Adrenergic Neurons in Nucleus Tractus Solitarius in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

N.  Kopp1 , F.  Chigr1 , L.  Denoroy2 , R.  Gilly3 , D.  Jordan1
  • 1Laboratoire d'Anatomie Pathologique, Faculté de Médecine A. Carrel, Rue Guillaume Paradin, Lyon Cedex 08, France
  • 2Département de Médecine Expérimentale, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, Lyon, France
  • 3Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Hôpital Sainte Eugénie, Saint Genis Laval, France
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Publication History

Publication Date:
19 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Immunohistochemical study of catecholamine synthesizing enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and phenylethanolamine-N-methyl transferase (PNMT) was performed in lower brain stem of 5 controls and 9 sudden infant death "syndrome" (SIDS) cases. No difference was noticed in TH immunoreactive neuronal groups. With anti-PNMT antibody, electively in nucleus gelatinosus (NG), a subnucleus of nucleus tractus solitarius, an absence of immunoreactivity was noticed. Catecholamine neuronal cell bodies in NG were present. The discussion favours a non-artefactual interpretation of data. A delay in maturation would be a possible explanation.

Key words

SIDS - Catecholamine enzymes - Brain stem neurons - Nucleus gelatinosus - Nucleus tractus solitarius