ISSN:
1432-0533
Keywords:
Pick's disease
;
Substantia nigra
;
Pigmented neurons
;
Morphometry
;
Parkinsonism
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
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.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00334504
