Immunohistochemical investigation of tau-positive structures in the cerebral cortex of patients with progressive supranuclear palsy.
We have investigated tau-positive structures immunohistochemically in the cerebral cortex of patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). In addition to neurofibrillary tangles, a variety of tau-positive structures occur. They are particularly abundant in the precentral gyrus and other frontal cortices. Double immunostaining has demonstrated that coil-like structures (coiled bodies) are located in the oligodendroglial cell bodies. Three forms of tau-positive astrocytic inclusions are discerned: those with tuft-like profiles, thorn-like structures, and concentric clusters of short stubby fibers. The concentric clusters of tau-positive fibers are present in some, but not all, PSP brains. They appear to be identical to 'astrocytic plaques' previously reported in patients with corticobasal degeneration (CBD). PSP and CBD might share a common pathological background which causes abnormal accumulation of tau protein in neurons and glial cells of neuroectodermal origin.
Nishimura
T
T
Department of Psychiatry, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Japan.
Ikeda
K
K
Akiyama
H
H
Kondo
H
H
Kato
M
M
Li
F
F
Iseki
E
E
Kosaka
K
K
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016874:Neurofibrillary Tangles / Q000378:metabolism; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D013494:Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive / Q000378:metabolism*; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016875:tau Proteins