Abstract.
Advanced silver stains and immunohistochemical reactions against α-synuclein were used to detect Parkinson's disease-related cytoskeletal abnormalities in select lower brain stem nuclei. Various types of inclusion bodies including inconspicuous and heretofore unnoted granular particles and thread-like Lewy neurites were visualized. Of the nuclei investigated (gigantocellular reticular nucleus, bulbar raphe nuclei, coeruleus-subcoeruleus area), only lipofuscin- or neuromelanin-laden neuronal types showed a propensity to develop the pathological changes. Neuronal types devoid of pigment deposits remained free of the cytoskeletal abnormalities. Fine, dust-like particles and small globular Lewy bodies were encountered solely within the limits of intraneuronal lipofuscin or neuromelanin deposits.
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Braak, E., Sandmann-Keil, D., Rüb, U. et al. α-Synuclein immunopositive Parkinson's disease-related inclusion bodies in lower brain stem nuclei. Acta Neuropathol 101, 195–201 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004010000247
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004010000247