Hereditary diabetes insipidus: an immunohistochemical study of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
We report the histological findings in a case of hereditary diabetes insipidus (HDI) using vasopressin (VP) immunohistochemistry. The hypothalamus displayed a marked loss of magnocellular VP neurons, with preservation of the smaller cells. The neurohypophysis was severely atrophic with scanty immunoreactivity. Our results support the hypothesis that HDI results from a selective degeneration of VP neurons affecting chiefly the magnocellular elements projecting to the neurohypophysis. The sparing of the parvocellular component may reflect the projection of these neurons to non-pituitary targets.
Bergeron
C
C
Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Toronto General Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
Kovacs
K
K
Ezrin
C
C
Mizzen
C
C
D000368:Aged; D003919:Diabetes Insipidus / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000473:pathology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013495:Supraoptic Nucleus / Q000473:pathology; D014667:Vasopressins
D014667:Vasopressins