RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Proliferative and degenerative changes in striatal spiny neurons in Huntington's disease: a combined study using the section-Golgi method and calbindin D28k immunocytochemistry
JF The Journal of Neuroscience
JO J. Neurosci.
FD Society for Neuroscience
SP 3877
OP 3887
DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.11-12-03877.1991
VO 11
IS 12
A1 RJ Ferrante
A1 NW Kowall
A1 EP Richardson, Jr
YR 1991
UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/11/12/3877.abstract
AB Dysmorphic alterations of dendritic arbors and spines in spiny striatal neurons were identified in section-Golgi impregnations of moderate and severe grades of Huntington's disease (HD). These alterations could be characterized as either proliferative or degenerative changes. Proliferative changes included prominent recurving of distal dendritic segments, short-segment branching along dendrites, and increased numbers and size of dendritic spines. Degenerative alterations consisted of truncated dendritic arborizations, occasional focal dendritic swellings, and marked spine loss. Proliferative changes were found primarily in moderate grades of HD, while degenerative changes were predominantly found in severe grades. Cytopathologic changes increased with neuropathologic severity. Similar morphologic alterations were observed in calbindin D28k (Calb) stained neurons in HD striatum. The immunoreactive intensity of Calb staining was increased in the distal dendrites of positive neurons in HD striatum. The present findings provide morphologic and quantitative evidence that confirms an early and marked involvement of spiny striatal neurons in HD and suggest that neuronal growth, rather than degeneration, may be the harbinger of cell death in this disorder.