Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Acta Neuropathologica 1/2005

01-01-2005 | Personal Historical Note

The role of electron microscopy in neuropathology

Author: Asao Hirano

Published in: Acta Neuropathologica | Issue 1/2005

Login to get access

Abstract

The electron microscope has been an essential instrument for elucidating the morphology of cells and tissue. Fine structural investigation of nervous tissue has disclosed numerous new findings, which were once invisible. In this communication I present my personal perspective on the role of electron microscopy in neuropathology through the presentation of selected electron microscopic projects engaged in our institution. These include brain edema, structural analysis of the myelin in the central nervous system, endodermal cysts in the central nervous system, aberrant synaptic development, toxoplasmosis in AIDS, and Hirano bodies.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Ghatak NR, Kasoff L, Alexander E Jr (1977) Further observation on the fine structure of a colloid cyst of the third ventricle. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 39:101–107 Ghatak NR, Kasoff L, Alexander E Jr (1977) Further observation on the fine structure of a colloid cyst of the third ventricle. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 39:101–107
2.
go back to reference Hirano A (1969) Fine structure of brain in edema. In: Bourne GH (ed) Structure and function of the nervous tissue, vol 2. Academic Press, New York, pp 69–135 Hirano A (1969) Fine structure of brain in edema. In: Bourne GH (ed) Structure and function of the nervous tissue, vol 2. Academic Press, New York, pp 69–135
3.
go back to reference Hirano A (1971) Electron microscopy in neuropathology. In: Zimmerman HM (ed) Progress in neuropathology, vol 1. Raven Press, New York, pp 1–61 Hirano A (1971) Electron microscopy in neuropathology. In: Zimmerman HM (ed) Progress in neuropathology, vol 1. Raven Press, New York, pp 1–61
4.
go back to reference Hirano A (1972) The pathology of the central myelinated axon. In: Bourne GH (ed) Structure and function of the nervous tissue, vol 5. Academic Press, New York, pp 73–162 Hirano A (1972) The pathology of the central myelinated axon. In: Bourne GH (ed) Structure and function of the nervous tissue, vol 5. Academic Press, New York, pp 73–162
5.
go back to reference Hirano A (1978) Some contributions of electron microscopy to the diagnosis of brain tumors. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 43:119–128 Hirano A (1978) Some contributions of electron microscopy to the diagnosis of brain tumors. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 43:119–128
6.
go back to reference Hirano A (1978) Neuronal and glial processes in neuropathology. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 37:365–374PubMed Hirano A (1978) Neuronal and glial processes in neuropathology. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 37:365–374PubMed
7.
go back to reference Hirano A (1980) On the independent development of the pre- and postsynaptic terminals. In: Zimmerman HM (ed) Progress in neuropathology, vol 4. Raven Press. New York, pp 79–99 Hirano A (1980) On the independent development of the pre- and postsynaptic terminals. In: Zimmerman HM (ed) Progress in neuropathology, vol 4. Raven Press. New York, pp 79–99
8.
go back to reference Hirano A (1985) Edema and myelin associated extracellular spaces. In: Inaba Y (ed) Proceeding of the 6th international symposium on brain edema. Springer, New York, pp 6–13 Hirano A (1985) Edema and myelin associated extracellular spaces. In: Inaba Y (ed) Proceeding of the 6th international symposium on brain edema. Springer, New York, pp 6–13
9.
go back to reference Hirano A (1968) A confirmation of the oligodendroglial origin of myelin in the adult rat. J Cell Biol 38:637–640CrossRefPubMed Hirano A (1968) A confirmation of the oligodendroglial origin of myelin in the adult rat. J Cell Biol 38:637–640CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Hirano A (1989) Neuropathology of AIDS: Montefiore experience. Clin Neurol 29:1546–1549 Hirano A (1989) Neuropathology of AIDS: Montefiore experience. Clin Neurol 29:1546–1549
11.
go back to reference Hirano A (1994) Hirano bodies and related neuronal inclusions. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 20:1-11 Hirano A (1994) Hirano bodies and related neuronal inclusions. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 20:1-11
12.
go back to reference Hirano A, Dembitzer HM (1967) Structural analysis of the myelin sheath in the central nervous system. J Cell Biol 34:555–567CrossRefPubMed Hirano A, Dembitzer HM (1967) Structural analysis of the myelin sheath in the central nervous system. J Cell Biol 34:555–567CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Hirano A, Dembitzer HM (1976) The fine structure of astrocytes in the adult staggerer. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 35:63–74PubMed Hirano A, Dembitzer HM (1976) The fine structure of astrocytes in the adult staggerer. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 35:63–74PubMed
14.
go back to reference Hirano A, Ghatak NR (1974) The fine structure of colloid cysts of the third ventricle. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 33:333–341PubMed Hirano A, Ghatak NR (1974) The fine structure of colloid cysts of the third ventricle. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 33:333–341PubMed
15.
go back to reference Hirano A, Hirano M (2004) Benign cysts in the central nervous system: neuropathological observations of the cyst walls. Neuropathology 24:1–7 Hirano A, Hirano M (2004) Benign cysts in the central nervous system: neuropathological observations of the cyst walls. Neuropathology 24:1–7
16.
go back to reference Hirano A, Zimmerman HM (1973) Aberrant synaptic development. Arch Neurol 28:359–366PubMed Hirano A, Zimmerman HM (1973) Aberrant synaptic development. Arch Neurol 28:359–366PubMed
17.
go back to reference Hirano A, Zimmerman HM, Levine S (1964) The fine structure of cerebral fluid accumulation. III. Extacellular spread of cryptococcal polysaccharides in the acute stage. Am J Pathol 45:1–19 Hirano A, Zimmerman HM, Levine S (1964) The fine structure of cerebral fluid accumulation. III. Extacellular spread of cryptococcal polysaccharides in the acute stage. Am J Pathol 45:1–19
18.
go back to reference Hirano A, Zimmerman HM, Levine S (1966) Myelin in the central nervous system as observed in experimentally induced edema in the rat. J Cell Biol 31:397–411CrossRefPubMed Hirano A, Zimmerman HM, Levine S (1966) Myelin in the central nervous system as observed in experimentally induced edema in the rat. J Cell Biol 31:397–411CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Hirano A, Rubin R, Sutton CH, Zimmmerman HM (1968) Honeycomb-like tubular structure in axoplasm. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 10:17–26 Hirano A, Rubin R, Sutton CH, Zimmmerman HM (1968) Honeycomb-like tubular structure in axoplasm. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 10:17–26
20.
go back to reference Hirano A, Ghatak NR, Wisoff HS, Zimmerman HM (1971) An epithelial cyst of the spinal cord. An electron microscopic study. Acta Neuropathol ( Berl) 18:214–223 Hirano A, Ghatak NR, Wisoff HS, Zimmerman HM (1971) An epithelial cyst of the spinal cord. An electron microscopic study. Acta Neuropathol ( Berl) 18:214–223
21.
go back to reference Kato S, Takikawa M, Nakashima K, Hirano A, Cleveland DW, Kusaka H, Shibata N, Kato M, Nakano I, Ohama E (2000) New consensus research on neurological aspects of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene mutations: inclusions containing SOD1 in neurons and astrocytes. ALS and other motor neuron disorders. 1:163–184 Kato S, Takikawa M, Nakashima K, Hirano A, Cleveland DW, Kusaka H, Shibata N, Kato M, Nakano I, Ohama E (2000) New consensus research on neurological aspects of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene mutations: inclusions containing SOD1 in neurons and astrocytes. ALS and other motor neuron disorders. 1:163–184
22.
go back to reference Kleihues P, Caenee WK (ed) (2000) Pathology and genetics of tumours of the nervous system. IARC Press, Lyon Kleihues P, Caenee WK (ed) (2000) Pathology and genetics of tumours of the nervous system. IARC Press, Lyon
23.
go back to reference Mark RE (2002) The big eye in the 21st century: The role of electron microscopy in modern diagnostic neuropathology. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 61:1027–1039PubMed Mark RE (2002) The big eye in the 21st century: The role of electron microscopy in modern diagnostic neuropathology. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 61:1027–1039PubMed
24.
go back to reference Norman MG (1974) Hyaline (“colloid”) cytoplasmic inclusions in motoneurones in association with familial microcephaly, retardation and seizures. J Neurol Sci 23:63–70CrossRefPubMed Norman MG (1974) Hyaline (“colloid”) cytoplasmic inclusions in motoneurones in association with familial microcephaly, retardation and seizures. J Neurol Sci 23:63–70CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Porter KP, Bonneville MA (1968) Fine structure of cells and tissues, 3rd edn. Lee & Febiger, Philadelphia Porter KP, Bonneville MA (1968) Fine structure of cells and tissues, 3rd edn. Lee & Febiger, Philadelphia
26.
go back to reference Schochet SS, Lampert PW, Lindenberg R (1968) Fine structure of the Pick and Hirano bodies in a case of Pick’s disease. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 11:330–337 Schochet SS, Lampert PW, Lindenberg R (1968) Fine structure of the Pick and Hirano bodies in a case of Pick’s disease. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 11:330–337
27.
go back to reference Shin W-Y, Laufer H, Lee Y-C, Aftalion B, Hirano A, Zimmerman (1978) Fine structure of a cerebellar neuroblastoma. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 42:11–13 Shin W-Y, Laufer H, Lee Y-C, Aftalion B, Hirano A, Zimmerman (1978) Fine structure of a cerebellar neuroblastoma. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 42:11–13
28.
go back to reference Takao M, Bernson MD, Murrell JR, Yazaki M, Piccardo P, Unverzagt FW, Davis RL, Holohan PD, Lawrence DA, Richardson R, Farlow MR, Ghetti B (2000) Neuroserpin mutation S52R causes neuroserpin accumulation in neurons and is associated with progressive myoclonus epilepsy. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 59:1070–1086PubMed Takao M, Bernson MD, Murrell JR, Yazaki M, Piccardo P, Unverzagt FW, Davis RL, Holohan PD, Lawrence DA, Richardson R, Farlow MR, Ghetti B (2000) Neuroserpin mutation S52R causes neuroserpin accumulation in neurons and is associated with progressive myoclonus epilepsy. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 59:1070–1086PubMed
29.
go back to reference Wissoff HS, Ghatak NR (1971) Ependymal cyst of the spinal cord: case report. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 34:546–550PubMed Wissoff HS, Ghatak NR (1971) Ependymal cyst of the spinal cord: case report. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 34:546–550PubMed
Metadata
Title
The role of electron microscopy in neuropathology
Author
Asao Hirano
Publication date
01-01-2005
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Acta Neuropathologica / Issue 1/2005
Print ISSN: 0001-6322
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0533
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-004-0960-x

Other articles of this Issue 1/2005

Acta Neuropathologica 1/2005 Go to the issue

Editorial

Editorial