alpha-synuclein immunopositive Parkinson's disease-related inclusion bodies in lower brain stem nuclei

Advanced silver stains and immunohistochemical reactions against alpha -syn uclein were used to detect Parkinson's disease-related cytoskeletal abnorma lities in select lower brain stem nuclei. Various types of inclusion bodies including inconspicuous and heretofore unnoted granular particles and thre ad-like Lewy neurites were visualized. Of the nuclei investigated (gigantoc ellular reticular nucleus, bulbar raphe nuclei, coeruleus-subcoeruleus area ), only lipofuscin- or neuromelanin-laden neuronal types showed a propensit y to develop the pathological changes. Neuronal types devoid of pigment dep osits remained free of the cytoskeletal abnormalities. Fine, dust-like part icles and small globular Lewy bodies were encountered solely within the lim its of intraneuronal lipofuscin or neuromelanin deposits.