α-Synuclein inclusions in Alzheimer and Lewy body diseases

E. B. Mukaetova-Ladinska*, J. Hurt, R. Jakes, J. Xuereb, W. G. Honer, C. M. Wischik

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

α-Synuclein has assumed particular neuropathological interest in the light both of its identification as a non-β-amyloid plaque constituent in Alzheimer disease (AD), and the recent association between dominant inheritance of Parkinson disease (PD) and 2 missense mutations at positions 30 and 53 of the synuclein protein. We report a systematic study of α- synuclein, tau, and ubiquitin immunoreactivity in representative neurodegenerative disorders of late life. The α-synuclein association with Lewy bodies is variable, peripheral, and is not stable with respect to proteases or acid treatment, whereas there is no association with Pick bodies. Stable patterns of immunoreactivity included neurites and a novel inclusion body. Although there is an overlap between the presence of Lewy bodies and stable α-synuclein immunoreactivity, this is seen only in the presence of concomitant neuropathological features of AD. The novel α- synuclein inclusion body identified in pyramidal cells of the medial temporal lobe in particular was found in AD and in the Lewy body variant of AD, and was associated neither with ubiquitin nor tau protein. The inclusion is therefore neither a Lewy body nor a PHF-core body, but may be confused with the Lewy body, particularly in the Lewy body variant of AD. Abnormal processing of α-synuclein leading to its deposition in the form of proteolytically stable deposits is a particular feature of the intermediate stages of AD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)408-417
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology
Volume59
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2000

Bibliographical note

We are indebted to Angela O'Sullivan for liaison with the carers of the diseased and Richard Hills for technical support. This study was supported by an MRC grant, UK and Leopold Muller Estate. WGH was supported by MRC Canada. EBM-L is a Research Fellow of Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge.

Keywords

  • Alzheimer disease
  • Amyloid deposits
  • Cortical Lewy body disease
  • Neurofibrillary changes
  • Synuclein

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'α-Synuclein inclusions in Alzheimer and Lewy body diseases'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this