AMYLOID P COMPONENT AND OTHER ACUTE-PHASE PROTEINS ASSOCIATED WITH CEREBELLAR A-BETA-DEPOSITS IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

It is established that amyloid P (AP) component and complement protein s are associated with amyloid beta (A beta)-protein deposits in the ce rebral cortex of Alzheimer's disease (AD) subjects. Here, we used immu nocytochemical methods to examine the association of these acute-phase proteins with the characteristic diffuse plaques of cerebellum in AD. We observed AP and complement C3d, Clq, C5 and C4bp immunoreactivitie s in most AP-protein-reactive plaques of the cerebellum. Further, a(1) -antichymotrypsin immunoreactivity was apparent in at least 60% of all the cerebellar diffuse plaques examined. Cerebellar tissue bearing th e A beta-protein deposits also often exhibited marked angiopathy in th e pial vessels. We suggest that diffuse plaques of the cerebellum also acquire components of the chronic inflammatory response evident in ne ocortical plaques.