Neurologic signs are explained by lesions in the central nervous system, which are most specific and diagnostic for the disease. These consist of bilatterally symmetrical focal malacia of the basal ganglia, substantia nigra and thalamus and bilaterally symmetrical demyelination in the internal capsule, subcortical white matter and cerebellar peduncles. The harmful effect of the toxin on endothelium is particularly obvious in the brain. Damaged endothelial cells develop pyknotic nucelei and the vessels become surrounded by oedema. Ultrastructurally, the perivascular astrocyte end-feet are markedly swollen. | Neurologic signs are explained by lesions in the central nervous system, which are most specific and diagnostic for the disease. These consist of bilatterally symmetrical focal malacia of the basal ganglia, substantia nigra and thalamus and bilaterally symmetrical demyelination in the internal capsule, subcortical white matter and cerebellar peduncles. The harmful effect of the toxin on endothelium is particularly obvious in the brain. Damaged endothelial cells develop pyknotic nucelei and the vessels become surrounded by oedema. Ultrastructurally, the perivascular astrocyte end-feet are markedly swollen. |