Impaired axonal transport of cortical neurons in Alzheimer's disease is associated with neuropathological changes

Brain Res. 2002 Sep 6;948(1-2):138-44. doi: 10.1016/s0006-8993(02)03152-9.

Abstract

Using a novel in vitro post mortem tracing method, we demonstrate a decrease of axonal transport in the temporal cortex neurons as compared to axonal transport in the prefrontal cortex neurons in AD patients, but not in non-demented controls. The decrease of axonal transport is related to the degree of neuropathological changes, as the temporal cortex undergoes more severe neuropathological changes in AD. The present study provides, for the first time, direct evidence of the presence of impaired axonal transport in AD brains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology*
  • Axonal Transport* / drug effects
  • Axons / drug effects
  • Axons / pathology
  • Axons / physiology
  • Biotin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cerebral Cortex / pathology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiopathology*
  • Deoxyglucose / pharmacology
  • Dextrans
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Net / pathology
  • Neurofibrillary Tangles / pathology
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / pathology*
  • Plaque, Amyloid / pathology
  • Prefrontal Cortex / pathology
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiopathology
  • Sodium Azide / pharmacology
  • Temporal Lobe / pathology
  • Temporal Lobe / physiopathology

Substances

  • Dextrans
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • biotinylated dextran amine
  • Biotin
  • Sodium Azide
  • Deoxyglucose