Fibroblast growth factor and hydrocephalus

The immunohistochemical localization of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFG F) was studied in ventricular ependyma and choroid plexus of aged-matched n ormotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats at different ages using a p olyclonal antibody against bFGF. The bFGF-like immunoreactivity was observe d in brain ependyma and choroid plexus of young and old normotensive rats. However, a progressive loss of immunoreactivity was observed with age in sp ontaneously hypertensive rats, that was associated with a progressive cereb roventricular dilation. These results show a new neuroendocrine anomaly to be added to the many others previously observed in this rat strain, when th ey develop hydrocephalus as they age.