Sparing of NADPH-diaphorase striatal neurons in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
The free radical neuromodulator, nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated as a neurotoxin. Neurons containing NO synthase (NOS) also contain NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) and are resistant to NO toxicity. We report that NADPH-d-containing neurons within the striatum are spared in patients with Parkinson's (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, a number of these neurons in both diseases appeared shrunken or bulbous with foreshortened dendritic processes. Quantitative analysis of cell areas revealed a significant difference only in the size of putamenal AD neurons which were decreased compared to normal controls. The possible involvement of NO in the neuropathogenesis of striatal derangement is discussed.
Mufson
E J
EJ
Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612.
Brandabur
M M
MM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D017072:Neostriatum / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D011699:Putamen / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure
D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase