Extensive axonal Lewy neurites in Parkinson's disease: a novel pathological feature revealed by alpha-synuclein immunocytochemistry

Neurosci Lett. 1999 Apr 9;265(1):67-9. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3940(99)00208-6.

Abstract

Lewy bodies and coarse Lewy neurites are the pathological hallmarks of degenerating neurons in the brains of patients suffering from Parkinson's disease (PD). Recently, the presynaptic protein alpha-synuclein was shown to be a major component of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. This study demonstrates for the first time that extensive and thin alpha-synuclein-immunoreactive inclusions are present in the axonal processes of neurons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Axons / ultrastructure*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lewy Bodies / chemistry
  • Lewy Bodies / pathology*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / analysis*
  • Neurites / ultrastructure*
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism
  • Parkinson Disease / pathology*
  • Synucleins
  • alpha-Synuclein

Substances

  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • SNCA protein, human
  • Synucleins
  • alpha-Synuclein