IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY OF NEURON-SPECIFIC ENOLASE IN NEURONS OF THE MEDULLA-OBLONGATA FROM HUMAN AUTOPSIES

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a glycolytic enzyme specifically expr essed in neurons. NSE has been used as a marker for neuronal damage in brain injury. We studied the immunohistochemical localization of this enzyme in the medulla oblongata obtained from human forensic autopsy specimens. Neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of vagal nerve expresse d statistically significantly less NSE immunoreactivity in the cytopla sm than in the hypoglossal nucleus (XII), solitary nucleus, spinal tri geminal nucleus, and lateral cuneate nucleus. Cases of carbon monoxide intoxication by burning showed a higher incidence of NSE immunoreacti vity in the cell nucleus of the XII than other cases, while there was no statistically significant correlation between NSE immunoreactivity in the cell nucleus and the Nissl amount. This indicates that the accu mulation of NSE immunoreactivity in the cell nucleus might be a vital reaction rather than a postmortem artifact.