AGE-RELATED ALTERATIONS IN THE INFERIOR SEMILUNAR LOBULE OF CEREBELLUM IN MEN

Aim. The aim of the study was to establish age-related morphological features of the lower semilunar lobule of the cerebellum in men of old age in comparison with young age. The study subjects were divided into two groups according to their age category. Materials and Methods. Morphological study was performed on autopsy material of 64 corpses of men aged 24-35 years and 75-88 years without diseases and injuries of the central and peripheral nervous system, as well as without history of alcohol and drug dependence, using histological, micrometric, and immunohistochemical methods. The first group included 35 young men from 24 to 35 years old inclusive. Group II included 29 men of senile age from 75 to 88 years inclusive. The thickness of the molecular and granular layers of the cerebellar cortex in the lower semilunar lobule was determined in both hemispheres. The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and by Nissl (according to Snesarev), van Gieson and Spielmeyer methods, and silvered by Foot. For immunohistochemical research, a panel of antibodies to glial fibrillar acid protein (GFAP) was used. Results. Comparative analysis of the data obtained in the age aspect showed a statistically significant decrease in the parameters of the molecular layer thickness at an old age. The granular layer showed a less expressed dynamics of thinning with age, but with the tendency to reduction of its parameters from mature to senile age. An immunohistochemical study showed a significant overgrowth of GFAP-positive astroglia in the cerebellar cortex by senile age. Conclusion. The results obtained allow to evaluate the problem of age-related restructuring of neural networks in the brain tissue in a new way. In future, these data may become the base for researchers of a wide spectrum of clinical specialties for joining their efforts and finding new methods for salvation of the problem of ageing and of social-cognitive disorders of senile age.