Pathological changes of the retrosplenial cortex in senile dementia of Alzheimer type

Six brains of patients aged from 71 to 85 years of clinically and pathologically diagnosed senile dementia of Alzheimer type and six brains of age-matched controls (55-91 years) was used for this study. The retrosplenial cortex of these brains have been examined by Gallyas and Campbell-silver impregnations. Gallyas preparation showed a number of intracellular pathological changes in retrosplenial cortex of demented individuals. Although the neuritic plaques, the neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads were seen in all lamina, their high density appear in lamina IIIa and V of retrosplenialis lateralis (Rsl), retrosplenialis intermedia (Rsi), retrosplenialis media (Rsm) and parasplenialis (Ps). The retrosplenial cortex of non-demented individuals was almost devoid of neurofibrillary changes. The retrosplenial cortex of all demented individuals and one age-matched controls showed a large amount of amyloid deposits in Campbell preparation, while two non-demented individuals showed only small amounts of amyloid. The amyloid deposition can be classified into three types. The packing of Campbell-argyrophilic material show area-specific and lamina-specific distribution.