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Argyrophilic grain disease in demented subjects presenting initially with amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Gregory A Jicha1, Ronald C Petersen, David S Knopman

  • 1Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. gajich2@email.uky.edu

Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology
|June 20, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Argyrophilic grain disease (AGD) is frequently found in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who later develop dementia. Advanced tau markers improved AGD detection in this autopsy study.

Area of Science:

  • Neuropathology
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases
  • Cognitive Impairment

Background:

  • Previous autopsy studies suggested a higher prevalence of argyrophilic grain disease (AGD) in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
  • AGD is a tauopathy characterized by the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau protein.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of AGD in autopsy cases of patients diagnosed with amnestic MCI.
  • To evaluate the utility of a 4-repeat tau-specific marker (ET3) for AGD detection.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective autopsy study of 34 patients with a history of amnestic MCI.
  • Neuropathologic evaluation using routine histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, including the ET3 marker.
  • Comparison of demographic, clinical, and neuropathologic features between cases with and without AGD.

Main Results:

  • AGD was identified in 18 (53%) cases, often co-occurring with other pathologies like Alzheimer's disease.
  • ET3 detected AGD in 5 additional cases missed by standard techniques.
  • Cases with AGD were significantly older (mean 94 years) than those without (mean 84 years).

Conclusions:

  • Argyrophilic grain disease is a common neuropathologic finding in individuals with a history of amnestic MCI.
  • The use of specific tau markers enhances the detection of AGD.
  • AGD may be an underdiagnosed contributor to cognitive decline in MCI patients.

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