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Purkinje cell axonal anatomy: quantifying morphometric changes in essential tremor versus control brains
Rachel Babij1, Michelle Lee, Etty Cortés
11 GH Sergievsky Centre, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
Brain : a Journal of Neurology
|September 14, 2013
Summary
Essential tremor involves changes in Purkinje cell axons within the cerebellum. These include altered shape and connectivity, potentially representing compensatory responses to injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cerebellar research
- Neurodegenerative diseases
Background:
- The cerebellum is increasingly implicated in essential tremor (ET) pathogenesis.
- Purkinje cell axonal swellings (torpedoes) are more common in ET, but subtle axonal changes are understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform a detailed morphological analysis of the Purkinje cell axonal compartment in essential tremor.
- To investigate subtle morphometric changes in Purkinje cell axons in ET.
Main Methods:
- Morphological analysis of Purkinje cell axons using calbindin D28k immunohistochemistry.
- Examined 49 essential tremor and 39 control human brain samples.
- Assessed axonal shape and connectivity parameters.
Main Results:
- Essential tremor cases showed increased thickened axonal profiles, torpedoes, recurrent collaterals, branching, and sprouting compared to controls.
- Axonal changes in shape and connectivity were significantly correlated.
- These changes correlated with tremor duration in some ET cases.
Conclusions:
- A spectrum of Purkinje cell axonal changes occurs in essential tremor.
- These alterations may be compensatory responses to Purkinje cell injury.
- The neuroprotective role and ultimate efficacy of these axonal responses in ET warrant further investigation.
