Patterns and stages of alpha-synucleinopathy: Relevance in a population-based cohort.
BACKGROUND
It is proposed that alpha-synucleinopathy (AS) initially affects the medulla oblongata and progresses to more rostral brain areas in a hierarchical sequence ("Braak hypothesis"). Predominant involvement of the amygdala is also described. This study examines the applicability of these patterns, and their relationship to Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology, in brains of a population-based donor cohort.


METHODS
Brains donated in two of six Cognitive Function and Ageing Study cohorts (Cambridgeshire and Nottingham) were examined. More than 80% were older than 80 years at death. The respondents were evaluated prospectively in life for cognitive decline and dementia. Immunocytochemistry for tau and alpha-synuclein was carried out in 208 brains to establish Braak stage and the pattern and severity of AS.


RESULTS
Seventy-six brains showed Lewy bodies. Half (51%) conformed to the Braak hypothesis while 17% had pathology in a higher region which was absent in a lower region. A further 29% showed amygdala-predominant pathology. Six brains showed predominant neocortical pathology with minimal pathology in amygdala or substantia nigra. The stage of AD pathology was not associated with particular patterns of AS.


CONCLUSIONS
alpha-Synucleinopathy (AS) is common in older people, and frequently associated with Alzheimer disease-type pathology. Although half of brains corresponded to the Braak hypothesis, and 29% to amygdala-predominant AS, there were a high proportion of cases which did not fit a staging system. An unexpectedly high proportion with a cortical form of Lewy body disease was identified.
Zaccai
J
J
Neuropathology, E Floor, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield UK.
Brayne
C
C
McKeith
I
I
Matthews
F
F
Ince
P G
PG
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D000679:Amygdala / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000473:pathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016631:Lewy Bodies / Q000473:pathology*; D020961:Lewy Body Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D014019:Tissue Donors; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000032:analysis*; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D051844:alpha-Synuclein; D016875:tau Proteins