Immunohistochemical Features which Distinguish Pallido-Nigro-Luysial Atrophy from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy |
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| Authors: | Tatsuo Yamada M.D. Ph.D. Patric L. McGeer M.D. Ph.D. F.R.C.P. Kazuo Shigematsu M.D. Ph.D. Edith G. McGeer Ph.D. Donald B. Calne M.D. |
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| Affiliation: | Kinsmen Laboratory of Neurological Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver;The Neurodegenerative Diseases Centre, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver |
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| Abstract: | Abstract: Pallido-nigro-luysial atrophy (PNLA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) have similar clinical features and somewhat similar classical pathology. We describe here their differentiation on the basis of immunohistochemistry. We examined three autopsy cases of typical PSP and one case demonstrating PNLA. Biochemically, all four cases showed greatly depleted striatal catecholamines. Immunohistochemistry for complement, Tau and some other proteins revealed in all cases pathology beyond the classically described areas of involvement. PSP cases were characterized by the appearance of many Tau-positive, paired nucleated glia with astrocyte morphology in numerous brain areas; none were seen in the PNLA case. The PSP cases also showed many more complement activated oligodendrocytes and oligodendroglial microtubular masses than did the PNLA case. On the other hand, the PNLA case showed more abundant neuropil threads. |
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| Keywords: | progressive supranuclear palsy pallido-nigro-luysial atrophy oligodendrocyte astrocyte catecholamine |
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