Size frequency distribution of the beta-amyloid (abeta) deposits in dementia with Lewy bodies with associated Alzheimer's disease pathology

Neurol Sci. 2009 Dec;30(6):471-7. doi: 10.1007/s10072-009-0135-6. Epub 2009 Sep 19.

Abstract

The objective is to study beta-amyloid (Abeta) deposition in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) with Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology (DLB/AD). The size frequency distributions of the Abeta deposits were studied and fitted by log-normal and power-law models. Patients were ten clinically and pathologically diagnosed DLB/AD cases. Size distributions had a single peak and were positively skewed and similar to those described in AD and Down's syndrome. Size distributions had smaller means in DLB/AD than in AD. Log-normal and power-law models were fitted to the size distributions of the classic and diffuse deposits, respectively. Size distributions of Abeta deposits were similar in DLB/AD and AD. Size distributions of the diffuse deposits were fitted by a power-law model suggesting that aggregation/disaggregation of Abeta was the predominant factor, whereas the classic deposits were fitted by a log-normal distribution suggesting that surface diffusion was important in the pathogenesis of the classic deposits.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lewy Bodies / metabolism
  • Lewy Bodies / pathology
  • Lewy Body Disease / metabolism*
  • Lewy Body Disease / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Statistical
  • Neurofibrillary Tangles / metabolism
  • Neurofibrillary Tangles / pathology
  • Plaque, Amyloid / metabolism
  • Plaque, Amyloid / pathology

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides