Figure 10. Motor neuron degeneration in the brainstem of dt^27J mice.

Sagittal sections from mouse brainstem (trigeminal nerve of the pons) identified in (A) of P15 wild type (B) and dt^27J (C) mice were stained for degenerating neurons with Fluorojade B. D. Fold change in neurodegeneration in dt^27J brainstem relative to wild type littermates is depicted (** p<0.01, student t-test). Sagittal sections from mouse brainstem of P15 wild type (E) and dt^27J (F) mice were antigenically labeled for mature neurons with NeuN. Alpha motor neurons are identifiable by their larger size (greater than 9 µm, arrow) relative to other neuronal cell types (arrowhead). Nuclei were counter stained with DAPI to facilitate quantification. G. Quantification of percent alpha motor neurons yielded a decrease in neuron number in the trigeminal nerve of dt^27J mice relative to wild type littermates (**p<0.01, student t-test). Scale bars, 10 µm.