摘要

We identified p62-immunoreactive inclusions in dendrites of catecholaminergic brainstem projection neurons using antibodies against p62, ubiquitin, alpha-synuclein, hyperphosphorylated tau, and tyrosine hydroxylase in 100-mu m sections through the brainstem dorsal vagal area, locus coeruleus, and substantia nigra of 149 autopsy cases staged for intraneuronal Alzheimer%26apos;s and Parkinson%26apos;s disease-associated lesions. The inclusions resembled Marinesco bodies within cell nuclei of catecholaminergic neurons as well as the dot-like structures previously described by Dickson in specific neuropil areas in humans. The p62-positive inclusions were confined to dendrites of catecholaminergic neurons, lacked neuromelanin granules, and were tau- and alpha-synuclein-negative. Their immunoreactivity for ubiquitin varied and their prevalence significantly increased with advancing age. The presence or absence of Alzheimer%26apos;s and/or Parkinson%26apos;s disease-associated pathology did not influence their existence. There was a strong association between the presence of p62-positive inclusions and Marinesco bodies (p %26lt; 0.0001). Our results reveal a hitherto unknown alteration within specific neuronal types of the human brainstem that may be independent of the sequestosome-ubiquitin-proteasomal pathway and unrelated to proteinaceous aggregate-formation of neurodegenerative diseases.

  • 出版日期2013-1