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01-04-2004 | Regular Paper

Accumulation of phosphorylated α-synuclein in the brain and peripheral ganglia of patients with multiple system atrophy

Authors: Makoto Nishie, Fumiaki Mori, Hideo Fujiwara, Masato Hasegawa, Makoto Yoshimoto, Takeshi Iwatsubo, Hitoshi Takahashi, Koichi Wakabayashi

Published in: Acta Neuropathologica | Issue 4/2004

Abstract

We immunohistochemically examined the brain and peripheral sympathetic ganglia from eight patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), using an antibody specific for phosphorylated α-synuclein (anti-PSer129). Phosphorylated α-synuclein was deposited in five cellular locations: oligodendroglial cytoplasm and nucleus, and neuronal cytoplasm, processes and nucleus. Many neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCIs) were found in the pontine and inferior olivary nuclei and, to a lesser extent, in the substantia nigra, locus ceruleus, and neocortical and hippocampal neurons. NCIs were also found in the sympathetic ganglia in two out of the eight cases. Moreover, anti-PSer129 immunohistochemistry revealed extensive neuropil pathology; swollen neurites were abundant in the pontine nucleus, delicate neurites were observed in the deeper layers of the cerebral cortex and thalamus, and neuropil threads and dot-like structures were distributed in the basal ganglia and brainstem. Diffuse neuronal cytoplasmic staining (pre-NCI) was frequently found in the pontine and inferior olivary nuclei. Thus, the widespread accumulation of phosphorylated α-synuclein in both glial and neuronal cells is a pathological feature in patients suffering from MSA.

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Title: Accumulation of phosphorylated α-synuclein in the brain and peripheral ganglia of patients with multiple system atrophy
Authors: Makoto Nishie
Fumiaki Mori
Hideo Fujiwara
Masato Hasegawa
Makoto Yoshimoto
Takeshi Iwatsubo
Hitoshi Takahashi
Koichi Wakabayashi
Publication date: 01-04-2004
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Acta Neuropathologica / Issue 4/2004
Print ISSN: 0001-6322
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0533
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-003-0811-1

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Accumulation of phosphorylated α-synuclein in the brain and peripheral ganglia of patients with multiple system atrophy

Abstract

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