In situ hybridization of nucleus basalis neurons shows increased beta-amyloid mRNA in Alzheimer disease.
To determine which cells within the brain produce beta-amyloid mRNA and to assess expression of the beta-amyloid gene in Alzheimer disease, we analyzed brain tissue from Alzheimer and control patients by in situ hybridization. Our results demonstrate that beta-amyloid mRNA is produced by neurons in the nucleus basalis of Meynert and cerebral cortex and that nucleus basalis perikarya from Alzheimer patients consistently hybridize more beta-amyloid probe than those from controls. These observations support the hypothesis that increased expression of the beta-amyloid gene plays an important role in the deposition of amyloid in the brains of patients with Alzheimer disease.
Cohen
M L
ML
Division of Neuropathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106.
Golde
T E
TE
Usiak
M F
MF
Younkin
L H
LH
Younkin
S G
SG
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism*; D000682:Amyloid / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000032:analysis*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000032:analysis*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*
D000682:Amyloid; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D012333:RNA, Messenger