Leopold Liss

Neural membrane phospholipids in Alzheimer disease.

Phospholipids form the backbone of neural membranes, providing fluidity and permeability. Two plasma membrane fractions, one from synaptosomes (SPM), the other glial and neuronal cell bodies (PM), were prepared from different regions of autopsied Alzheimer disease (AD) brains. Corresponding fractions were prepared from age-matched control brains. All fractions from AD brains showed significantly lower levels of ethanolamine glycerophospholipids and significantly higher levels of serine glycerophospholipids than the control brain. No differences were observed in phosphatidylcholine levels among these membranes. These results suggest that altered phospholipid composition of plasma membranes may be involved in the abnormal signal transduction and neurodegeneration in AD.

Neurochemical Aspects of Alzheimer's Disease: Involvement of Membrane Phospholipids

Alzheimers disease is a slowly progressive, dementing disorder with the pathological hallmarks of cerebral cortical atrophy, senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and granulovacuolar changes. The demonstration that these pathological changes are frequently associated with dementia in the elderly has led to the recognition of Alzheimers disease as one of the most common seriously disabling neurological disorders (Sinex and Merril, 1982; Katzman, 1986; Terry and Katzman, 1983). Generally, the onset of Alzheimers disease is heralded by impairments in recent memory. Affected individuals may be able to recall considerable detail from the distant past, but they cannot remember what occurred just minutes earlier (Terry and Katzman, 1983). The etiology and pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease remain unknown. However, the following causative factors should be carefully considered (Wurtman, 1985): (i) aging in general, (ii) transmissible agents called viroids, (iii) hereditary and familial predispositions, (iv) Downs syndrome, (v) environmental toxins such as aluminum in brain, (vi) a decrease in blood flow, and (vii) a decrease in acetylcholine in brain. Each of these primary etiologies may contribute to the specific changes which result in Alzheimers disease.

Medulloblastoma with cross-striated muscle. A fine structural study.

The fine structure of a case of cerebellar midline “medullomyoblastoma” was examined. The study demonstrated neuroblastic and glial elements, in addition to myoblasts and unequivocal striated muscle fibers. In view of the presence of neuroectodermal and mesenchymal elements, the authors believe that this type of tumor should be classified as a teratoid neoplasm rather than a sarcoma.

Astrocytic Processes: A Route Between Vessels and Neurons Following Blood-Brain Barrier Injury

The fluorescent tracer Evans blue EB was studied after circulation time ranging from 30 seconds to 5 minutes following blood-brain barrier BBB injuries in 42 dogs. Selective neuronal stainings SNS, associated with BBB injuries, occurred to a high degree. This phenomenon was examined by modifica-tions in existing fluorescence techniques. The mechanism of SNS was seen to lie in an almost imperceptible transport of EB along astrocytic processes connecting SNS with the adjacent vasculaturc. This report presents visual evidence under pathological conditions, and supports the concept of astrocytic processes as the normal route of transport between blood vessels and neurons. This requires long exposure photomicrographs since the fluorescing material is subtle within the ncuroglial processes.

The Ependymal Lining of the Cavum Septi Pellucidi: A Histological and Histochemical Study

A comparison of cells lining the cavum septi pellucidi and the nearby lateral ventricle was used for determining the nature of these cells. The results indicate that the epithelial cells which line the cavum, although they appear at a later age, assume all of the characteristics morphologically and functionally, of the ependymal cells which line the ventricular system.

Quantitation of Photic Driving in Dementia with Normal EEG

The EEG is frequently normal when early dementia is clinically suspected. The presence or absence of occipital driving with intermittent photic stimulation is not helpful in detecting cerebral pathology, but quantitation of photic driving was shown to distinguish between dementia and depression in geriatric patients. We quantified photic driving in twenty clinically demented patients without diffuse or focal EEG abnormality, and compared this in 20 age-matched normal controls. Intermittent stimulation at odd-numbered frequencies between 1 and 31 Hz was carried out. The product of frequency of stimulation and duration of driving response was determined, and the incidence of absent, subharmonic and supraharmonic photic driving was determined. The quantitative measure of frequency times following duration was significantly greater in the nondemented individuals than in demented patients with normal EEGs. More nondemented individuals demonstrated supraharmonic and subharmonic responses than did demented patients. The range of normal variability in persistence, duration, and symmetry of photic driving is great, and caution in determining abnormality on this basis is appropriate. Subtle but measurable changes in photic driving may occur early in dementing illnesses, however.

The rationale for aluminum absorption control in early stages of alzheimer disease

Abstract The role of aluminum as a link in the chain of events leading to progressive degeneration of the brain and dementia has been tested by lowering the postprandial aluminum peak in the serum. The progression of symptoms has been slowed down indicating that aluminum plays a role in the multifactorial etiology of Alzheimer Disease.

Electron microscopic study of an ectopic pinealoma

SummaryA specimen from a patient with an ectopic pinealoma located in the third ventricle was investigated by light and electron microscopy.The study has demonstrated many small membrane-limited electron-dense granules in the pinealocyte-like principal tumor cells. They were similar to those found in the normal pineal body of mammals and probably represent granules of biogenic amines.The literature of biochemical studies on the secretion of the pineal body and the pinealoma was reviewed as supportive evidence of our ultrastructural findings.ZusammenfassungEine Gewebsprobe aus einem ektopischen Pinealom des 3. Ventrikels wurde licht- und elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht. In den Pinealocyten-ähnlichen Hauptzellen des Tumors wurden viele kleine membranbegrenzte elektronendichte Granula nachgewiesen. Sie waren ähnlich denen in normalen Pinealiszellen der Säuger und entsprechen wahrscheinlich Granula biogener Amine. Aus der Literatur über biochemische Untersuchungen über die Sekretion der Pinealis und des Pinealoms ergeben sich unterstützende Argumente zu der Deutung der eigenen ultrastrukturellen Befunde.

Changes in Growth and Morphology of Human Gliomas and Fibroblasts Cultured in D-Valine Medium

Human fibroblasts and cells cultured from a glioblastoma multiforme and and oligodendroglioma were grown in standard tissue culture medium and in a medium in which D-valine was substituted for L-valine (DVM). Growth of all three types of cells was inhibited in DVM. Morphological changes of cells cultured in DVM also occurred: many fibroblasts became stellate-shaped and the oligodendroglioma cells had fewer processes. These findings indicate that DVM can not be used to decrease fibroblastic contamination in cultures of human gliomas without altering the morphological and growth characteristics of the neoplastic cells.

How Frequent is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

1. Between 1965 and 1988, more than 900 postmortem examinations were performed in a psychiatric VA hospital. The clinical history of patients who were diagnosed with NPH and had a shunt placed did not result in any clinically significant improvement. Of course, the source of this material is biased because not all of these individuals had NPH but did have one of the neurodegenerative dementias. 2. Between 1976 and 1998, in the Ohio State University Cognitive Disorders Clinic, we examined and followed more than 1000 patients. The clinical evaluation required, in the initial years, admission to the Clinical Research Unit for 6 to 8 days so as to administer all the tests. The procedures were later streamlined to outpatient visits only. We diagnosed 2 patients with NPH and referred them for shunt placement. The results in both cases were spectacular. They both presented initially with the pathognomonic triad, and their cognitive impairment was by today’s criteria a little more than mild cognitive impairment, with gait disturbance and incontinence being the initial and dominant symptoms. We have evaluated numerous patients for possible NPH, but did not recommend surgical intervention. The accuracy of our diagnoses in Cognitive Disorders Clinic was verified by postmortem examination with detailed brain studies, and between 1976 and 1984 we had 85% necropsies on deceased patients. The postmortem examinations confirmed that the only errors were in the types of neurodegenerative dementias diagnosed and none of the patients had NPH. 3. In the Columbus Alzheimer Care Center, a 100-bed dementiadedicated facility, between 1991 and 2011 we had more than 1100 admissions. Nine individuals previously had ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement,whichhadneithera significant nora lasting effect. The diagnosis of Alzheimer disease or any other neurodegenerative dementia is a devastating event, both for the patient and the family. The spectacular results in accurately diagnosed neurodegenerative dementia are a powerful incentive for the patient and family to hope for NPH. The frequency in our material was 0.2%. We need long-term follow-up on the 11,500 patients who are diagnosed with NPH annually.Short-termfollow-up wouldbe misleading because even a sham surgical procedure can produce a strong placebo effect. Therefore, the 5% frequency of NPH may be a dangerous overestimate, because it reinforces the desire to treat. The emotional aspect of the relationship among patients, their families, and the treating physicians should not be overlooked because the desire to help and hope against