Neocortex development during severe malnutrition in the rat.

Histological methods (Golgi-Cox and Nissl) were used to study the maturation of the large pyramidal cells of layer V of the occipital cortex in malnourished rats (according to the method of Araya et al.). The main alterations were observed in pyramidal cells of cortical alyer V; These showed a decrease of the number and span of dendritic basilar processes. An increase in cell density was also observed in this layer. We assume that malnutrition during this period of development provokes a derangement which disturbs the process of neuron differentiation, with effects that probably are permanent.