Three categories of the degenerative appearance of the human cerebellar dentate nucleus. A morphometric and morphological study.
This morphometric and morphological study demonstrates 3 categories (types A, B and C) of degenerative feature in the cerebellar dentate nucleus. Type A is characterized by neuronal loss, astrocytosis and granular and/or amorphous argyrophilic change around the neurons and neuronal processes, and this type was thought to be synonymous with the so-called grumose degeneration of the DN. Type B is characterized by extensive neuronal loss and astrocytosis without argyrophilic change, and it was considered that many diverse factors were responsible for type B. Type C features marked swelling of the neurons without neuronal loss, astrocytosis or argyrophilic change. The Purkinje cells were not involved in type A and C, but severely damaged in type B. Clinically, type A was observed in progressive supranuclear palsy and dentatorubropallidoluysian atrophy, type B extensively in many diseases including anoxic, toxic and infectious disorders, and type C in tardive dyskinesia manifesting with oral hyperkinesia. Types A and C may be more or less specific signs of degeneration of the dentate nucleus, whereas type B appears to be non-specific.
Arai
N
N
Department of Pathology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Japan.
Amano
N
N
Iwabuchi
K
K
Yagishita
S
S
Yokoi
S
S
Saito
A
A
Misugi
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001284:Atrophy; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology; D002529:Cerebellar Nuclei / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged