Quantification of plaque types in sulci and gyri of the medial frontal lobe in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
beta-Amyloid protein (beta A4) deposition was characterised in the sulci and gyri of frontal cortex in 14 cases of Alzheimer's disease. A quantitative study was made of two distinct plaque sub-types (diffuse and classic) using immunocytochemistry and image analysis using a discriminant function design. As reported previously more beta A4 was observed in sulci than gyri. Diffuse plaques were more numerous than classic plaques in sulci and gyri (P less than 0.01). Classic plaques were more abundant in the sulci (P less than 0.01). Increased beta A4 deposition in the sulci is accounted for by increased numbers of classic plaques. No correlation was observed between the numbers of diffuse and classic plaques in either region. Our data suggest that the two plaque types form discrete populations and that their evolution is governed by distinct pathophysiological parameters.
McKenzie
J E
JE
Department of Anatomy, St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, Imperial College, London, UK.
Gentleman
S M
SM
Royston
M C
MC
Edwards
R J
RJ
Roberts
G W
GW
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000032:analysis*; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008954:Models, Biological
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides