History of Pick's disease

After a short summary of Arnold Pick's biography, the history of how Pick's disease (PiD) was reported is presented, from its clinical symptoms to its molecular characterization. The macroscopic description of frontotemporal atrophy by Pick is recounted followed by a description of the histological lesions observed by Alzheimer and the progressive characterization of the disease. The subsequent diagnosis has since relied on ultrastructural findings as well as immunohistochemical and biochemical techniques. The discovery of the role of the microtubule-associated τ-protein, encoded by chromosome 17, more specifically of the 3R isoform, has led to the inclusion of PiD in the 3R tauopathies. Today, both sporadic and familial PiDs, including the more frequent behavioral form, are considered as frontotemporal dementias. Experimental models have reproduced some of the lesions but the prion-like hypothesis concerning PiD has not, as yet, been proven.