Na-glutamate sensitive neurons in the area postrema of the rat (author''s transl)

A single subcutaneous injection of monosodium-L-glutamate induces severe ultrastructural alterations in certain AChE positive parenchymal cells of the Area postrema of the adult rat. Signs of cellular degeneration include massive intracellular edema, swelling of mitochondria, vacuolization of the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and marked alterations in the chromatin pattern of the nucleus. Identification of these cells as neurons is based on the presence of axosomatic synapses.