This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Benes, F. M. Articles by Marotta, C. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Benes, F. M. Articles by Marotta, C. A. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

A Modular Arrangement of Neuronal Processes in Human Cortex: Disruption With Aging and in Alzheimer's Disease

Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mailman Research Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont

Ronald E. Majocha

Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Mailman Research Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont

Charles A. Marotta

Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mailman Research Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

Studies were undertaken to assess whether or not neuron-specific immunostaining of the human brain can reveal unique cytoarchitectural features that may be affected by healthy aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Human prefrontal cortex (PFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) were stained with an antibody raised against the neurofilament protein 200,000 molecular weight subunit (NFP-200) using an avidin-biotin immunolocalization procedure. Immunostaining of cortex was neuron-specific and highlighted axons in particular. This staining has revealed an orderly arrangement of horizontal and vertical axon bundles which form latticelike compartments or modules throughout most of the matrix of the two cortical areas studied. The ACC shows this pattern to be intact in individuals through the ninth decade, while the PFC there was blurring of the modularity beyond the fifth decade. Irrespective of the age-related blurring of the latticelike arrangement of axons in PFC, neurologically normal elderly individuals nevertheless showed a highly organized appearance to the cortical matrix. By contrast, patients with AD showed a marked disruption of the modular arrangement of fibers in PFC, but not ACC. Differences between PFC fibers in controls and AD patients were also demonstrated with an axon-specific monoclonal antibody that reacted with phosphorylated epitopes of the NFP-200. The chaotic appearance of fiber staining in PFC seen in patients with AD was noted to be present in one subject who died in an early stage of the disease. The possible significance of this previously unknown aspect of cortical cytoarchitecture for normal cognitive functioning in humans is discussed. (J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 1988;1:3-10).

Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, Vol. 1, No. 1, 3-10 (1988)
DOI: 10.1177/089198878800100102


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Tonkonogy and G. S. Moak Alois Alzheimer on Presenile Dementia J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol, October 1, 1988; 1(4): 199 - 206. [Abstract] [PDF]