Morphometric Nerve Fiber Analysis and Aging Process of the Human Abducent Nerve

Nerve fiber analyses were conducted on the human facial nerve with use of a new staining method (Luxol-PAS-hematoxylin stain; discriminative staining method) that permits simultaneous observation of the axon and surrounding myelin sheath. The following combination of equipment was employed in the study: An image-analyzing digitizer, a microscope with a drawing tube, and a computer for storing the data and performing statistical analyses. The numbers, transverse areas, and circularity ratios of axons were measured in 11 cases. The average number of axons composing one facial nerve was 6,254, and the average size of the axons was 6.23 μm2. The results indicated that although the numbers of axons became reduced with age, the transverse areas and circularity ratios of the axons did not change with age.

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Polarimetric Nerve Fiber Analysis in Patients with Visible Optic Nerve Head Drusen

Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology ◽

10.1097/00041327-200112000-00003 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 245-249 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Sinan Tatlipinar ◽

Sibel Kadayif??ilar ◽

Banu Bozkurt ◽

??ansal Gedik ◽

Ergun Karaa??ao??lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Optic Nerve ◽

Nerve Fiber ◽

Optic Nerve Head ◽

Fiber Analysis ◽

Optic Nerve Head Drusen ◽

Nerve Fiber Analysis

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Intraepidermal Nerve Fiber Analysis in Human Patients and Animal Models of Peripheral Neuropathy: A Comparative Review

Toxicologic Pathology ◽

10.1177/0192623319855969 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (1) ◽

pp. 59-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Lisa M. Mangus ◽

Deepa B. Rao ◽

Gigi J. Ebenezer

Keyword(s):

Peripheral Neuropathy ◽

Animal Models ◽

Skin Biopsy ◽

Nerve Fiber ◽

Sensory Nerve ◽

Nerve Fibers ◽

Fiber Analysis ◽

Comparative Review ◽

Nerve Fiber Analysis ◽

Intraepidermal Nerve Fiber

Analysis of intraepidermal nerve fibers (IENFs) in skin biopsy samples has become a standard clinical tool for diagnosing peripheral neuropathies in human patients. Compared to sural nerve biopsy, skin biopsy is safer, less invasive, and can be performed repeatedly to facilitate longitudinal assessment. Intraepidermal nerve fiber analysis is also more sensitive than conventional nerve histology or electrophysiological tests for detecting damage to small-diameter sensory nerve fibers. The techniques used for IENF analysis in humans have been adapted for large and small animal models and successfully used in studies of diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, HIV-associated sensory neuropathy, among others. Although IENF analysis has yet to become a routine end point in nonclinical safety testing, it has the potential to serve as a highly relevant indicator of sensory nerve fiber status in neurotoxicity studies, as well as development of neuroprotective and neuroregenerative therapies. Recently, there is also interest in the evaluation of IENF via skin biopsy as a biomarker of small fiber neuropathy in the regulatory setting. This article provides an overview of the anatomic and pathophysiologic principles behind IENF analysis, its use as a diagnostic tool in humans, and applications in animal models with focus on comparative methodology and considerations for study design.

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