Tangle-bearing neurons show more extensive dendritic trees than tangle-free neurons in area CA1 of the hippocampus in Alzheimer's disease.
To elucidate the pathogenetic significance of neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease, the dendritic tree of tangle-bearing and unaffected pyramidal cells of area CA1 of the hippocampus was morphometrically examined. Golgi-stained neurons were assessed which were deimpregnated and counterstained with Congo red to visualize neurofibrillary tangles. The study revealed that tangle-bearing neurons have more extensive apical dendritic trees than tangle-free neurons. It is concluded that metabolic processes associated with the formation of neurofibrillary tangles may increase neurotrophic activity on a single cell level and counteract the cellular degeneration process.
Gertz
H J
HJ
Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Free University Berlin, F.R.G.
Krüger
H
H
Patt
S
S
Cervos-Navarro
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D003712:Dendrites / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000473:pathology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling