Spatial patterns of the vacuolation in subcortical white matter in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD).
OBJECTIVE
To study the spatial patterns of the vacuolation ("spongiform change") in the subcortical white matter in the "classical" form of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD).


METHODS
Frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal lobes of 11 cases of sCJD.


METHODS
Spatial patterns were studied across the white matter at the base of the gyri using spatial pattern analysis.


RESULTS
In the white matter of all gyri studied, vacuoles were aggregated into clusters, 50 to > 800 microm in diameter and in 22/37 (59%) of gyri, the clusters of vacuoles exhibited a regular distribution across the base of the gyri. In the remaining gyri, the vacuoles were aggregated into large clusters, at least 400 microm or 800 microm in diameter, but without evidence of a regular distribution. In a significant proportion of gyri, the spatial patterns of the vacuolation were similar to those reported previously for spongiform change and prion protein (PrP) deposits in the corresponding grey matter.


CONCLUSIONS
Degeneration of the white matter and the formation of clusters of vacuoles may occur before the degeneration of the grey matter or could be a consequence of pathology affecting the cortico-cortical pathways.
Armstrong
R A
RA
Vision Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK. R.A.Armstrong@aston.ac.uk
Lantos
P L
PL
Cairns
N J
NJ
D000368:Aged; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D007562:Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018620:PrPSc Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000473:pathology*
D018620:PrPSc Proteins