Glycogen accumulation of the aging human brain.
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.
Gertz
H J
HJ
Cervos-Navarro
J
J
Frydl
V
V
Schultz
F
F
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
D006003:Glycogen