The aim of the study was to investigate the features of damage to the structures of the brain in acute
carbon monoxide (CO)
poisoning. The results of forensic, microscopic and morphometric studies of the brain of 78
corpses died from acute
carbon monoxide poisoning are presented. The peculiarities of damage to the nervous tissue, the glial complex, as well as changes in the structures of blood vessels and the state of intravascular blood with the formation of aggregates, sludge, and
blood clots were revealed. These changes along with perivascular and pericellular
edema indicate the agonal death of the victims. When the
carboxyhemoglobin concentration in the blood is about 30% the brain structures' lesions begin to appear; their intensity increases when the
carboxyhemoglobin concentration is more than 60%. According to the authors, the substantiation of the thanatogenesis of various types of
carbon monoxide poisoning requires further research taking into account the age of the victims, the
carboxyhemoglobin concentration in the blood, the duration of the agonal period, as well as possible (competing) conditions: for example, acute alcohol intoxication, thermal injury, etc. Still urgent the studies of structures of other target organs of CO - heart and lungs.