PYRAMIDAL NERVE-CELL LOSS IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

Loss of the large pyramidal cells of the association neocortex and hip pocampus, along with plaques and tangles, is fundamental to the neurop athology of Alzheimer's disease. The extent of Alzheimer-specific cell loss, relative to controls, is age-dependent with maximal losses in y ounger subjects though, because of the (additive) effects of 'normal' ageing on such cells, the absolute loss remains constant at all ages. The cause of the cell loss remains unknown but probably relates to neu rofibrillary degeneration through a crowding out of organelles and a d isruption of intracellular transport; oxidative stress may also contri bute. The degree of clinical dementia correlates well with the extent of pyramidal cell loss. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited