Density and cross-sectional areas of axons in the olfactory tract in control subjects and Alzheimer's disease: an image analysis study.
OBJECTIVE
Using an image analysis system to determine whether there is loss of axons in the olfactory tract (OT) in Alzheimer's disease (AD).


METHODS
A retrospective neuropathological study.


METHODS
Nine control patients and eight clinically and pathologically verified AD cases.


RESULTS
There was a reduction in axon density in AD compared with control subjects in the central and peripheral regions of the tract. Axonal loss was mainly of axons with smaller (<2.99 microm(2)) myelinated cross-sectional areas.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest significant degeneration of axons within the OT involving the smaller sized axons. Loss of axons in the OT is likely to be secondary to pathological changes originating within the parahippocampal gyrus rather than to a pathogen spreading into the brain via the olfactory pathways.
Armstrong
Richard A
RA
Vision Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK. R.A.Armstrong@aston.ac.uk
Syed
Anila B
AB
Smith
Christopher U M
CU
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies