[Structural asymmetry of the basal nucleus of Meynert in men and women].

ABSTRACT

Using quantitative neurohistological indices, a structure of the nucleus of Meynert has been studied in 11 cases from the collection of the Institute of Brain Researches of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. The sample included 7 men and 4 women aged from 19 to 60 years (with the exception of one individual of 70 years of age), who died suddenly and did not suffer lifetime from neurological or mental disorders. The following indices have been determined neuron profile field, neuronal density, density of total and satellite glia as well as portion of satellite glia in the total one and portion of satellite-surrounded neurons in their total amount. All individual indices were processed using statistical methods and difference between hemispheres was determined. Despite the broad variance of individual indices, significant asymmetry of the square of neuron profile field, which was sex-dependent, a tendency to higher neuronal density on the left side and to that of glia cells on the right side were observed. Because changes of the satellite glia indices were most variable, it seems possible to emphasize only a large portion of satellite-surrounded neurons in the right hemisphere. In total, there was a trend to a larger asymmetry of the nucleus structure in men.