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02-02-2024 | Frontotemporal Dementia | Original Article

Entorhinal cortex astrocytic atrophy in human frontotemporal dementia

Authors: J. J. Rodríguez, F. Zallo, E. Gardenal, J. Cabot, X. Busquets

Published in: Brain Structure and Function | Issue 3/2024

Abstract

The pathophysiology of Fronto Temporal Dementia (FTD) remains poorly understood, specifically the role of astroglia. Our aim was to explore the hypothesis of astrocytic alterations as a component for FTD pathophysiology. We performed an in-depth tri-dimensional (3-D) anatomical and morphometric study of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive and glutamine synthetase (GS)-positive astrocytes in the human entorhinal cortex (EC) of FTD patients. The studies at this level in the different types of human dementia are scarce. We observed a prominent astrocyte atrophy of GFAP-positive astrocytes and co-expressing GFAP/GS astrocytes, characterised by a decrease in area and volume, whilst minor changes in GS-positive astrocytes in FTD compared to non-dementia controls (ND) samples. This study evidences the importance of astrocyte atrophy and dysfunction in human EC. We hypothesise that FTD is not only a neuropathological disease, but also a gliopathological disease having a major relevance in the understanding the astrocyte role in FTD pathological processes and development.

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Title: Entorhinal cortex astrocytic atrophy in human frontotemporal dementia
Authors: J. J. Rodríguez
F. Zallo
E. Gardenal
J. Cabot
X. Busquets
Publication date: 02-02-2024
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal Dementia
Dementia
Dementia
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's Disease
Published in: Brain Structure and Function / Issue 3/2024
Print ISSN: 1863-2653
Electronic ISSN: 1863-2661
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-024-02763-x

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Entorhinal cortex astrocytic atrophy in human frontotemporal dementia

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