Nickel induction of Rosenthal fibers in rat brain.

Nickel wire implants into the central nervous system of Lewis rats induces the formation of structures morphologically similar to Rosenthal fibers. The nickel-induced lesions are similar to those seen in Alexander's disease and other human conditions in which Rosenthal fibers are found. This is the first report on the induction of Rosenthal fibers in animals. It might be used to design animal models to study Rosenthal fiber formation and possibly Alexander's disease.