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Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Sequential Extraction of Soluble and Insoluble Alpha-Synuclein from Parkinsonian Brains
Published on: January 5, 2016
alpha-synuclein immunopositive Parkinson's disease-related inclusion bodies in lower brain stem nuclei
E Braak1, D Sandmann-Keil, U Rüb
1Department of Anatomy, J. W. Goethe-University, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Braak@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Abstract:
Advanced silver stains and immunohistochemical reactions against alpha-synuclein were used to detect Parkinson's disease-related cytoskeletal abnormalities in select lower brain stem nuclei. Various types of inclusion bodies including inconspicuous and heretofore unnoted granular particles and thread-like Lewy neurites were visualized. Of the nuclei investigated (gigantocellular reticular nucleus, bulbar raphe nuclei, coeruleus-subcoeruleus area), only lipofuscin- or neuromelanin-laden neuronal types showed a propensity to develop the pathological changes. Neuronal types devoid of pigment deposits remained free of the cytoskeletal abnormalities. Fine, dust-like particles and small globular Lewy bodies were encountered solely within the limits of intraneuronal lipofuscin or neuromelanin deposits.
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