Apoptotic neurons in a cat with cerebellar abiotrophy

Cerebellar abiotrophy is defined as a premature spontaneous progressive los s of neurons. In an 11-months-old cat with cerebellar abiotrophy, clinical symptoms developed progressively after castration. Histologically a loss of Purkinje cells, granular layer cells and demyelination of white matter wer e observed. Apoptotic neurons were found using the TUNEL technique. In this case the cerebellar abiotrophy was due to apoptosis of neuronal population s. An episode of anoxia/hypoxia of the nervous system during anesthesia may have played a role in the induction of cerebellar apoptosis.