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NADPH-diaphorase/nitric oxide synthase containing neurons in normal and Parkinson's disease putamen

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Journal of Neural Transmission - Parkinson's Disease and Dementia Section

Summary

Nitric oxide (NO) is thought to be involved in neurodegenerative processes. Concerning Parkinson's disease (PD) it remains to be elucidated, if NO contributes to pathological alterations in the striatum. The present study evaluates the post-mortem putamen of PD patients and control subjects for distribution patterns of NO-synthase containing neurons, using the NADPH-diaphorase technique. The ratio of positively stained neurons and the total number of cells (control: 1,120±69 per mm2, n=5; PD: 575±164mm2, n=5) shows striking differences between controls and PD patients. Our findings give reason to conclude that NADPH-diaphorase positive structures may have pathogenetic importance in degenerative processes in PD putamen.

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Author notes

  1. G. Wolf

    Present address: Institute of Medical Neurobiology, Medical Faculty, University of Magdeburg, Erich-Weinert-Strasse 3, D-39112, Magdeburg, Federal Republic of Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Medical Neurobiology, Medical Faculty, University of Magdeburg, Erich-Weinert-Strasse 3, D-39112, Magdeburg, Federal Republic of Germany

    R. Böckelmann

  2. Department of Neurology, University of Innsbruck, Austria

    G. Ransmayr

  3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Federal Republic of Germany

    P. Riederer

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  1. R. Böckelmann
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  2. G. Wolf
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  3. G. Ransmayr
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  4. P. Riederer
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Böckelmann, R., Wolf, G., Ransmayr, G. et al. NADPH-diaphorase/nitric oxide synthase containing neurons in normal and Parkinson's disease putamen. J Neural Transm Gen Sect 7, 115–121 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02260966

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02260966

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