Distribution of amyloid bodies in the aged human vestibulocochlear nerve

We tried to elucidate the localization and distribution of amyloid bodies (Corpora amylacea) in the human vestibulocochlear nerve stained with luxol fast blue-periodic acid Schiff-hematoxylin using of a combination of an image analyzing computer system and a microscope fitted with a drawing tube. After having observed each section of the vestibulocochlear nerve from the brain stem to the fundus of the internal auditory meatus, we counted the numbers of amyloid bodies in three different parts for each of three corpses, and measured the areas. We found that amyloid bodies of the vestibulocochlear nerve are concentrated to the limiting glial portion of the nerve more than to the nerve parenchyma, and amyloid bodies are not seen in the vestibulocochlear nerve peripheral to the transitional zone. Our quantitative trial proved that the amyloid body was larger in the 8th decade than in the 6th or 7th decade of life.