Abstract
Advanced silver stains and immunohistochemical reactions against alpha-synuclein were used to detect Parkinson's disease-related cytoskeletal abnormalities in select lower brain stem nuclei. Various types of inclusion bodies including inconspicuous and heretofore unnoted granular particles and thread-like Lewy neurites were visualized. Of the nuclei investigated (gigantocellular reticular nucleus, bulbar raphe nuclei, coeruleus-subcoeruleus area), only lipofuscin- or neuromelanin-laden neuronal types showed a propensity to develop the pathological changes. Neuronal types devoid of pigment deposits remained free of the cytoskeletal abnormalities. Fine, dust-like particles and small globular Lewy bodies were encountered solely within the limits of intraneuronal lipofuscin or neuromelanin deposits.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Cytoskeleton / metabolism
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Cytoskeleton / pathology
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Female
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Humans
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Inclusion Bodies / metabolism
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Inclusion Bodies / pathology*
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Lewy Bodies / metabolism
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Lewy Bodies / pathology
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Lipofuscin / metabolism
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Locus Coeruleus / metabolism
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Locus Coeruleus / pathology
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Locus Coeruleus / physiopathology
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
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Neurites / metabolism
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Neurites / pathology
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Neurons / metabolism
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Neurons / pathology*
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Parkinson Disease / metabolism
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Parkinson Disease / pathology*
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Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
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Pigmentation / physiology
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Raphe Nuclei / metabolism
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Raphe Nuclei / pathology
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Raphe Nuclei / physiopathology
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Reticular Formation / metabolism
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Reticular Formation / pathology
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Reticular Formation / physiopathology
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Rhombencephalon / metabolism
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Rhombencephalon / pathology*
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Rhombencephalon / physiopathology
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Synucleins
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alpha-Synuclein
Substances
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Lipofuscin
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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SNCA protein, human
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Synucleins
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alpha-Synuclein