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Selective loss of nigral neurons in Pick's disease: a morphometric study

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Summary

Loss of neurons from the substantia nigra (SN), which is often encountered in Pick's disease, was quantitatively analyzed in 13 cases of Pick's disease and 19 age-matched controls. On sections from the upper and lower portions of the SN, the pigmeted zone (zona compacta) and the non-pigmented zone (zona reticulata) were delineated, and these zones were partitioned into quarters: medial, mid-medial, mid-lateral and lateral. Neuronal loss was fairly severe and more evident in the upper section of the SN (−40%), especially in the midmedial and lateral quarters. In the lower section (neuronal loss:−28%), the medial quarter was most severely affected. Non-pigmented neurons were preserved. Fibrillary gliosis was denser in the zona reticulata, where neuronal loss was minimal. These findings revealed a selective vulnerability of nigral neurons according to their topography and pigmentation and suggests the primary involvement of some neuronal groups (especially the pigmented neurons) of the SN in Pick's disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuropathology, Psychiatric Research Insitute of Tokyo, 2-1-8 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, 156, Tokyo, Japan

    T. Uchihara, K. Tsuchiya & K. Kosaka

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  1. T. Uchihara
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  2. K. Tsuchiya
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  3. K. Kosaka
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Uchihara, T., Tsuchiya, K. & Kosaka, K. Selective loss of nigral neurons in Pick's disease: a morphometric study. Acta Neuropathol 81, 155–161 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00334504

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