Hypertrophy of cholinergic neurones of the rat basal nucleus following section of the corpus callosum

Abstract The effect of division of the corpus callosum on immunohistochemically identified cholinergic neurones of the basal nucleus has been examined in rats. Following callosal section the cholinergic cell bodies on both sides are significantly larger (25%) than those in normal animals. This hypertrophy persists for at least 62 days after operation, the longest survival time examined. It is greatest when the animal is operated on in infancy, but it occurs at all ages examined. The enlargement is similar to that seen in the cells of the same nucleus on one side following contralateral cortical damage.