Corpus amylaceum (polyglucosan body) in the peripheral olfactory system

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neuropathology
• Olfactory System Research

Background:

• Corpus amylaceum (CA), or polyglucosan bodies, are amorphous, starch-like structures found in the central nervous system.
• The olfactory system, particularly the olfactory bulb and tract, plays a crucial role in smell perception and is indirectly exposed to the external environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the occurrence and distribution of corpus amylaceum (CA) in the peripheral olfactory system (olfactory bulb and tract) of human brains.
• To explore potential correlations between CA presence, age, disease status, and the olfactory tract's unique anatomical and environmental characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Autopsy examination of 296 human brains, including 281 pathological cases and 15 controls.
• Histopathological analysis focused on the olfactory bulb and tract to identify and quantify corpus amylaceum.
• Immunohistochemistry was used to assess heat shock protein 60 (HSP-60) positivity in CA, indicating a role for stress.

Main Results:

• Corpus amylaceum (CA) was observed in the peripheral olfactory system.
• No significant differences in CA incidence were found across age groups (above 40 years) or between disease groups and controls.
• CA showed a predominance in the olfactory tract, with a loose correlation to age, possibly linked to the rich astrocytic and capillary network and environmental exposure.

Conclusions:

• Corpus amylaceum (CA) is present in the human olfactory tract and bulb.
• The distribution and potential protective role of CA in the olfactory tract may be influenced by its vascularization, astrocytic environment, and proximity to the external environment.
• HSP-60 positivity of CA suggests a role for stress in its formation within the olfactory system.