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Making the diagnosis of frontotemporal lobar degeneration

Eileen H Bigio1

  • 1Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. e-bigio@northwestern.edu

Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|March 5, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) autopsy evaluation is simplified by distinguishing FTLD-tau and FTLD-U subtypes. This guide aids pathologists in diagnosing frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) subtypes using histochemical and immunohistochemical methods.

Area of Science:

  • Neuropathology
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases
  • Histopathology

Background:

  • Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) autopsy evaluation presents challenges for general pathologists.
  • Pick disease, a subtype of frontotemporal lobar degeneration-tau (FTLD-tau), is characterized by Pick bodies.
  • FTLD encompasses tauopathies (FTLD-tau) and ubiquitinopathies (FTLD-U).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To simplify the classification of FTLD subtypes.
  • To provide a stepwise approach for differentiating FTLD-tau and FTLD-U in autopsy brains.
  • To serve as a practical reference for pathologists performing FTD autopsies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of previously published peer-reviewed articles.
  • Utilizing histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques.
  • Logical, stepwise diagnostic investigation of FTD autopsy brain tissue.

Main Results:

  • A clear distinction between FTLD-tau and FTLD-U subtypes is achievable.
  • Pick disease (FTLD-tau (PiD)) can be identified through characteristic morphologic features.
  • The proposed methods facilitate accurate subtyping of FTLD.

Conclusions:

  • This approach demystifies FTLD evaluation for general pathologists.
  • The study provides a practical guide for FTD autopsy brain analysis.
  • Accurate subtyping of FTLD is crucial for understanding FTD pathology.

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