OVER-EXPRESSION OF C-FOS MESSENGER-RNA IN THE HIPPOCAMPAL-NEURONS IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

Objective To analyze the relationship between the proto-oncogene c-fos change and neuronal degeneration in the hippocampus of the patients w ith Alzheimer's disease. Methods The post mortem human hippocampal tis sues were divided into three groups, namely, the aged, the young and A lzheimer's disease (AD) groups. Each group consisted of 10 patients. T he diagnosis of AD was made by clinical manifestation and argentatine (Bodian) staining. Patients of both the young and the aged groups had no neurological disorders. The proto-oncogene c-fos mRNA was investiga ted in the hippocampal neurons using the method of in situ hybridizati on.Results The optical density of stained area and the integral within proto-oncogene c-fos mRNA revealed a significant increase in the hipp ocampal neurons in cases of Alzheimer's disease as compared with the c ontrols. Conclusions The over-expression of the protooncogene c-fos mi ght play a role in the pathological process of Alzheimer's disease. Th ese changes might result from a suffering stage of the hippocampal neu rons or from a compensatory mechanism in the surviving neurons which a re not yet affected by the pathological process.