title: Glycogen accumulation of the aging human brain.
abstract: We describe light- and electron-microscopically a new type of intracytoplasmatic inclusions within cell processes of the cerebral cortex and the underlying white matter. These structures measure 5-50 micron in diameter and consist almost exclusively of densely packed alpha- or beta-glycogen granules, which never occur together in any single structure. Within their periphery, electron-dense amorphous spots and cell organelles, especially mitochondria, were seen. No membrane-bound glycogen was observed. We propose to call them granular glycogen bodies. They occur in 4 of 7 examined postmortem specimens of the cerebral cortex of people older than 60 years of age. They were not found in 4 younger controls aged 26-48. Their appearance may reflect a distinct turnover disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, which becomes manifest under diverse pathologic conditions and in the normal aging process.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Gertz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cervos-Navarro
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Frydl
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schultz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D006003:Glycogen