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Neocortical changes in Parkinson's disease, revisited
H Sugiyama1, J A Hainfellner, M Yoshimura
1Clinical Institute of Neurology, University of Vienna, Austria.
Clinical Neuropathology
|March 1, 1994
Summary
Anti-ubiquitin staining significantly increases detection of neocortical Lewy bodies (LBs) in Parkinson
Area of Science:
- Neuropathology
- Neurodegenerative Diseases
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by specific neuropathological changes.
- Cortical Lewy bodies (LBs) and senile plaques (SPs) are key pathological hallmarks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reexamine cortical changes in Parkinson's disease brains.
- To compare the efficacy of anti-ubiquitin immunocytochemistry versus routine staining for LB detection.
- To investigate the relationship between neocortical LBs, SPs, and dementia.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 37 Parkinson's disease brains.
- Bielschowsky silver impregnation and anti-ubiquitin immunocytochemistry.
- Comparison with routine Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining.
Main Results:
- Anti-ubiquitin immunostaining identified neocortical LBs in 76% of cases, compared to 32% with HE staining.
- Neocortical SPs were more frequent in brains with LBs (50% vs. 11%).
- Dementia correlated with abundant neocortical LBs, meeting criteria for diffuse Lewy body disease.
Conclusions:
- Neocortical LBs are a frequent finding in Parkinson's disease.
- Abundant cortical LBs are associated with dementia and diffuse Lewy body disease.
- Anti-ubiquitin immunocytochemistry is superior for detecting neocortical LBs in PD.