IN-SITU DETECTION OF DNA FRAGMENTATION AFTER FOCAL CEREBRAL-ISCHEMIA IN MICE

Brains from 5 mice subjected to focal ischemia (2 hours) - reperfusion (22 h), revealed a significant increase (P < 0.01) in cells exhibitin g DNA fragmentation (100-200 per section) - ipsilateral hemisphere com pared to 0-3 per section found in the contralateral hemisphere and nor mal (n = 5) and sham operated (n = 5) mice. Neurons were the predomina nt cells (90-95%) exhibiting DNA fragmentation, and were primarily loc ated in the inner boundary zone to the infarct. Apoptosis may contribu te to the development of infarct after transient focal cerebral ischem ia.