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Fine structure of the Pick and Hirano bodies in a case of Pick's disease

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Summary

Brain tissue from an autopsied case of Pick's disease was studied by light and electron microscopy. Intraneuronal argentophilic Pick bodies were most numerous in the pyramidal cells of the hippocampus. By electron microscopy, these inclusions consisted of a conglomeration of granules enmeshed in an irregular network of proliferated neurofilaments. There were also multiple eosinophilic juxtaneuronal structures (Hirano bodies). By electron microscopy these consisted of interwoven sheaves of beaded and continuous filaments. The possible location of the Hirano bodies within degenerating axonal terminals is discussed.

Zusammenfassung

Hirngewebe eines Falles von Pickscher Krankheit wurde licht-und elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht. Intraneuronale argentophile Picksche Körper wurden am zahlreichsten in den Pyramidenzellen des Hippocampus gefunden. Elektronenoptisch bestanden die Einschlußkörper aus einer Zusammenballung von körnigen Gebilden, die in einem unregelmäßigen Netz von vermehrten Neurofilamenten verstreut lagen. Viele eosinophile Hiranosche Körper fanden sich in nächster Nachbarschaft von Nervenzellen. Diese Körper bestanden aus verflochtenen Schichten von geperlten oder glatten Filamenten. Die mögliche Lokalisation der Hiranoschen Körper innerhalb von degenerierenden Axonendigungen wird diskutiert.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuropathology Branch, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, 20305, Washington, D. C., USA

    S. S. Schochet Jr., P. W. Lampert & R. Lindenberg

  2. Veterans Administration Central Laboratory for Anatomic Pathology and Research, AFIP, Washington, D. C.

    S. S. Schochet Jr., P. W. Lampert & R. Lindenberg

  3. Central Anatomic Laboratory of the Maryland State Department of Mental Hygiene, Baltimore, Maryland

    S. S. Schochet Jr., P. W. Lampert & R. Lindenberg

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  1. S. S. Schochet Jr.
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  2. P. W. Lampert
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  3. R. Lindenberg
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Schochet, S.S., Lampert, P.W. & Lindenberg, R. Fine structure of the Pick and Hirano bodies in a case of Pick's disease. Acta Neuropathol 11, 330–337 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00686729

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00686729

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