Histopathologic evaluation of the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex in a donor with a history of stroke
Location
Moultrie, GA
Start Date
17-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 1:00 PM
Description
Introduction:
Each year, more than 600,000 individuals in the United States experience a first-time stroke, with approximately 200,000 experiencing recurrent events. The overall prevalence of stroke among adults aged 20 years and older is estimated at 3.3%, with projections suggesting continued increases as the population ages. The hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, both key components of the medial temporal lobe, play crucial roles in the formation of episodic, declarative, and spatial memories. These structures are particularly vulnerable to ischemia due to their high metabolic demand. Pyramidal neurons within the CA1 region of the hippocampus are especially sensitive to hypoxic injury, and progressive neuronal loss may contribute to hippocampal atrophy and long-term memory impairment in post-stroke patients. Similarly, damage to the entorhinal cortex has been associated with cognitive decline and impaired memory consolidation.
Understanding the microstructural changes that occur within these regions following cerebrovascular events may provide insight into the neuropathologic mechanisms underlying post-stroke cognitive impairment.
Objective: The objective of this study was to characterize histologic changes in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex of a cadaver with a reported history of stroke.
Methods:
Brain tissue samples were obtained from the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex of a 75-year-old White male donor with a reported history of stroke. Tissue samples were carefully dissected using neuroanatomical landmarks. Samples were processed at the Colquitt Regional Medical Center for histological analysis. Planned analysis includes histopathology of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained tissues for baseline histologic evaluation, Luxol Fast blue to assess demyelination, and Masson’s Trichrome for analysis of glial and vascular wall changes.
Results:
Histologic processing and microscopic evaluation of the hippocampal and entorhinal cortex specimens are currently underway. Results are currently pending as we await tissue processing and pathological analysis.
Conclusion:
This study highlights the importance of cadaveric tissue analysis in examining region-specific consequences of stroke, as it serves as a valuable opportunity for clinicians and researchers to find a correlation between clinical history with histologic alterations. As we await result finding, we anticipate that they will help us better understand how stroke affects the core functions of these structures involved in memory.
Embargo Period
5-26-2026
Histopathologic evaluation of the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex in a donor with a history of stroke
Moultrie, GA
Introduction:
Each year, more than 600,000 individuals in the United States experience a first-time stroke, with approximately 200,000 experiencing recurrent events. The overall prevalence of stroke among adults aged 20 years and older is estimated at 3.3%, with projections suggesting continued increases as the population ages. The hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, both key components of the medial temporal lobe, play crucial roles in the formation of episodic, declarative, and spatial memories. These structures are particularly vulnerable to ischemia due to their high metabolic demand. Pyramidal neurons within the CA1 region of the hippocampus are especially sensitive to hypoxic injury, and progressive neuronal loss may contribute to hippocampal atrophy and long-term memory impairment in post-stroke patients. Similarly, damage to the entorhinal cortex has been associated with cognitive decline and impaired memory consolidation.
Understanding the microstructural changes that occur within these regions following cerebrovascular events may provide insight into the neuropathologic mechanisms underlying post-stroke cognitive impairment.
Objective: The objective of this study was to characterize histologic changes in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex of a cadaver with a reported history of stroke.
Methods:
Brain tissue samples were obtained from the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex of a 75-year-old White male donor with a reported history of stroke. Tissue samples were carefully dissected using neuroanatomical landmarks. Samples were processed at the Colquitt Regional Medical Center for histological analysis. Planned analysis includes histopathology of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained tissues for baseline histologic evaluation, Luxol Fast blue to assess demyelination, and Masson’s Trichrome for analysis of glial and vascular wall changes.
Results:
Histologic processing and microscopic evaluation of the hippocampal and entorhinal cortex specimens are currently underway. Results are currently pending as we await tissue processing and pathological analysis.
Conclusion:
This study highlights the importance of cadaveric tissue analysis in examining region-specific consequences of stroke, as it serves as a valuable opportunity for clinicians and researchers to find a correlation between clinical history with histologic alterations. As we await result finding, we anticipate that they will help us better understand how stroke affects the core functions of these structures involved in memory.