Histopathology of acute cell loss in Huntington's chorea brain

Histopathological study of 130 cases of Huntington's chorea revealed in 102 cases microscopic foci of acute cell loss associated with an inflammatory reaction in otherwise normal areas of the affected regions of the brain. Hemi-striata of 12 consecutive cases all showed these areas of acute death when examined by serial section. The neuroanatomic topography and microscopic size of the findings were not found in 53 control cases and appear specific for this disease. It is suggested that these lesions represent the sites of active atrophy within the brain.