Neuropathologic findings in progressive supranuclear palsy. A brief review with two additional case reports

Recent studies utilizing electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry have added to the understanding of the pathology of progressive supranuclear palsy. This article reviews the neuropathologic findings of progressive supranuclear palsy and includes two new case reports. Findings in the patients reported here include extensive neuronal loss with reactive gliosis in deep subcortical gray matter such as globus pallidus, subthalamic nuclei, substantia nigra, red nucleus, dentate nucleus, and inferior olives. Neurofibrillary tangles were also noted in thalamus, hypothalamus, striatum, nucleus basalis, locus ceruleus, basis pontis nuclei, midbrain, pontine, and medullary reticular formation as well as in various cranial nerve nuclei.