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Histopathological & immunohistochemical evaluation of ageing changes in normal human brain
T C Yasha1, L Shankar, V Santosh
1Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, Bangalore.
The Indian Journal of Medical Research
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Brain aging in India shows increasing senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles with age. These age-related brain changes in the Indian population appear comparable to Western populations.
Area of Science:
- Neuropathology
- Gerontology
- Indian Population Studies
Background:
- Age-related brain changes are not well-documented in India.
- Existing impressions suggest lower frequency, necessitating systematic study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and characteristics of age-related brain changes in the Indian population.
- To compare findings with Western populations.
Main Methods:
- Autopsy examination of 52 brains from individuals over 60 years old.
- Histopathological analysis for senile plaques (SPs) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs).
- Immunohistochemistry to identify protein components (beta-amyloid, ubiquitin, phosphorylated neurofilament).
Main Results:
- Incidence of SPs and NFTs increased with age (21% in 7th decade to 54% in 9th decade).
- NFT incidence showed a statistically significant increase with age.
- SPs found in hippocampus and frontal cortex; NFTs primarily in the hippocampus of non-demented individuals.
- Alzheimer's disease cases showed high SPs and NFTs in both regions.
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed beta-amyloid in SPs and ubiquitin/phosphorylated neurofilament in NFTs.
Conclusions:
- Age-related brain changes in South India are comparable to Western findings.
- Further multicentric studies across diverse Indian ethnic groups are recommended.