An autopsy case of PSP with astrocytic inclusions

Argyrophilic glial cytoplasmic inclusions were observed in astrocytes (Astrocytic Inclusions) in a case of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). The inclusions were predominantly distributed in the lenticular nucleus and midbrain, but not in the cerebral cortex, white matter nor in the thalamus. When examined by double staining with Gallyas silver and GFAP, they resembled the neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and were tau positive. The distribution of these inclusions was not related to that of NFT. These inclusions indicate that astrocytes were involved in the same pathological changes as NFT. Argyrophilic inclusions were also observed in oligodendroglias on Gallyas silver staining. They appeared coiled and located mainly in the cerebral and cerebellar white matter.