Neuron loss and shrinkage in the amygdala in Alzheimer's disease.
Total neuron numbers in the amygdala and in eight of its subnuclei were determined in 9 cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in 6 age-matched controls (AMC). Total neuron numbers were obtained using the fractionator. A neuron loss of 56.3% for the left amygdala and 50.5% for the right amygdala in AD was found, being more severe than previously reported. The subdivisions showed a differential neuron loss ranging from 35.5% in nucleus lateralis of the right amygdala to 70.4% in the nucleus basalis accessorius of the right amygdala. Moreover, a shift in size distribution to smaller neurons could be demonstrated. No left-right hemispheric differences were detected in total neuron numbers in AD and AMC.
Vereecken
T H
TH
Institute of Neurology, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Vogels
O J
OJ
Nieuwenhuys
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D000679:Amygdala / Q000473:pathology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology; D011903:Raphe Nuclei / Q000473:pathology; D013377:Substantia Innominata / Q000473:pathology