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Published on: July 16, 2009
Neuropathologic findings in an aged albino gorilla
M Márquez1, A Serafin, H Fernández-Bellon
1Animal Tissue Bank of Catalunya, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Barcelona, Spain. mercedes.marquez@uab.cat
Veterinary Pathology
|July 1, 2008
Summary
An aged gorilla exhibited neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (PKAN)-like symptoms. Neuropathology revealed iron-rich spheroids, but no PANK2 gene mutation was found, suggesting an age-related cause.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Primate Pathology
- Neurodegenerative Diseases
Background:
- Pallido-nigral spheroids and iron deposition occur in aged primates.
- Similar pathology in humans is linked to neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) diseases, sometimes involving PANK2 gene mutations.
Observation:
- A 40-year-old gorilla presented with progressive tetraparesis, nystagmus, dyskinesia, and behavioral changes.
- Postmortem examination revealed corpora amylacea and axonal spheroids with iron accumulation in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra.
Findings:
- The gorilla's PANK2 gene sequencing showed no mutations.
- Neuropathologic findings mimicked NBIA but lacked the genetic link.
Implications:
- This case suggests an age-related pallido-nigral degeneration pathway.
- It highlights potential non-genetic etiologies for PKAN-like syndromes in aging primates.
