Fig. 3

Analysis of number and size of striatal neuron subtypes after PF lesions. These subtypes are known to receive PF input. (a) A typical PF lesion in an R6/2 mouse (scale bar: 0.5 mm). (b) Unbiased stereology using the optical fractionator reveals loss of matrix neurons in R6/2 mice at 11 wks with further loss at 13 wks. PF lesions do not alter neuron number in the striatal matrix compartmentin either WT or R6/2 mice. (c, d) Unbiased stereology analysis of striatal PV+ interneurons using the optical fractionator (c) or the nucleator (d) reveals progressive cell loss and atrophy in R6/2 vs. WT mice, with no effect of PF lesions. (e, f) Optical fractionator cell counts (e) and nucleator-derived soma area (f) of ChAT + interneurons show earlier, more severe and progressive cell loss and atrophy in PF lesioned R6/2 mice compared to sham-lesioned R6/2 mice at both 11 wks and 13 wks. Morphology of ChAT + interneurons is not altered by PF lesions in WT mice. Scale bar: 250 μm. A 2-way between subject ANOVA was applied to each data set followed by a Tukey HSD post hoc test; * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001. Abbreviations: PF = Parafascicular, FR = Fasciculus Retroflexus, 3rd V. = 3rd Ventricle, HB = Habenula