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Mamillary bodies in Alzheimer's disease
D Grossi1, O L Lopez, A J Martinez
1University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pennsylvania.
Abstract:
The number of senile (neuritic) plaques (SP) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in mamillary bodies (MB) and in the dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus (DMNT) were assessed in 25 cases of definite Alzheimer's disease. In 20 cases with AD without other CNS disease the MB and DMNT showed SP and/or NFT in 19 (95%). No correlation was found between the number of SP and NFT and the duration or age of onset of the disease. In patients with AD plus another CNS disease, there were fewer SP and NFT regardless of duration and age at onset of the disease. AD is a diffuse disorder with cortical and subcortical changes. The involvement of MB and DMNT suggests that subcortical structures are also implicated in the memory disorder of AD. The association of AD with other diseases that can themselves cause dementia requires further studies, especially regarding the pattern of topographic distribution of the degenerative changes.
Insights
Alzheimer
Area of Science:
- Neuropathology
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by senile plaques (SP) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT).
- Subcortical structures are implicated in cognitive decline in AD.
- The involvement of mamillary bodies (MB) and dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus (DMNT) in AD requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence and correlation of SP and NFT in the MB and DMNT in Alzheimer's disease.
- To investigate the impact of co-existing central nervous system (CNS) diseases on AD neuropathology.
- To explore the role of subcortical structures in the memory deficits associated with AD.
Main Methods:
- Histopathological examination of post-mortem brain tissue from 25 definite Alzheimer's disease cases.
- Quantification of senile plaques (SP) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in the mamillary bodies (MB) and dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus (DMNT).
- Comparison of neuropathological findings between AD cases with and without other CNS diseases.
Main Results:
- SP and/or NFT were found in 95% of MB and DMNT in AD cases without other CNS diseases.
- No correlation was observed between SP/NFT load and disease duration or age of onset.
- AD patients with co-existing CNS diseases exhibited fewer SP and NFT in the studied regions.
Conclusions:
- The mamillary bodies and dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus are frequently affected in Alzheimer's disease, suggesting subcortical involvement in memory impairment.
- Co-pathology with other CNS diseases may modulate the expression of AD neuropathology.
- Further research is needed on the topographic distribution of degenerative changes in AD, particularly concerning co-morbidities.