Human brain tissue microarrays as a platform to investigate diseases of the nervous system

Brain Research
Paula MartikainenIrina Alafuzoff

Abstract

We constructed tissue microarray (TMA) blocks containing post-mortem human brain tissue from subjects with clinically and neuropathologically verified Alzheimer's disease (AD), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), progressive supranuclear palsy, Lewy body disease, multisystem atrophy (MSA) as well as an age matched control. Fifteen donor blocks were merged into two TMA blocks containing 72, 2-mm punch core samples with representative brain regions generally affected in degenerative disorders. Hyperphosphorylated-gamma, alpha-synuclein and beta-amyloid-related pathologies were estimated. The diseases were easily recognized by evaluating the two TMA sections and the results assessing TMA sections were comparable with the assessment of the whole brain sections. The assessment of TMA sections revealed concomitant multifocal alpha-synuclein pathology in AD, mild tau-involvement in the case of MSA and a slight AD-type pathology in the case of CBD. These findings emphasize the importance of searching for a variety of pathologies in "the whole brain" rather than restricting the examination to a few vulnerable regions. Furthermore, the TMA methodology clearly reduced the number of sections needed for evaluating the whole brain, it increased...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1991·Acta Neuropathologica·H Braak, E Braak
Jul 14, 1998·Nature Medicine·J KononenO P Kallioniemi
Feb 5, 1999·Progress in Brain Research·H BraakE Braak
Aug 22, 2000·Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology·D R ThalH Braak
Dec 13, 2000·The Journal of Pathology·C E GillettA M Hanby
Jan 5, 2001·Laboratory Investigation; a Journal of Technical Methods and Pathology·R L CampD L Rimm
Feb 23, 2002·The American Journal of Surgical Pathology·Mark A RubinKenneth J Pienta
May 30, 2002·Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine·Eva FernebroMef Nilbert
Aug 3, 2002·Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology·Jared GoldstineHarry V Vinters
Dec 25, 2002·Neurobiology of Aging·Heiko BraakEva Braak
Dec 25, 2003·Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology·Erkki KuusistoIrina Alafuzoff
Jan 15, 2004·Neuropathology : Official Journal of the Japanese Society of Neuropathology·Martin SjöbeckElisabet Englund
Dec 14, 2004·Fertility and Sterility·Aparna A KamatAlexander I Agoulnik

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 17, 2009·Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology·Maria PikkarainenIrina Alafuzoff
Jul 31, 2007·Neurobiology of Aging·Johanna OjalaTuula Pirttilä
Oct 27, 2007·Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology·E KuusistoI Alafuzoff
Oct 24, 2009·Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology·P MartikainenI Alafuzoff
Jan 13, 2019·Annals of Neurology·Malvindar K Singh-BainsRichard L M Faull
Sep 12, 2008·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·Mike Dragunow
Oct 3, 2020·Journal of Neuroscience Methods·L A WilsonJ R Highley
Dec 15, 2015·Pediatrics·Carolina Gillio-MeinaDouglas D Fraser

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation (MDS)

Alpha-synucleins are small proteins that are believed to restrict the mobility of synpatic vesicles and inhibit neurotransmitter release. Aggregation of these proteins have been linked to several types of neurodegenerative diseases including dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease. Here is the latest research on α-synuclein aggregation.

Astrocytes & Neurodegeneration

Astrocytes are important for the health and function of the central nervous system. When these cells stop functioning properly, either through gain of function or loss of homeostatic controls, neurodegenerative diseases can occur. Here is the latest research on astrocytes and neurodegeneration.

Astrocytes & Amyloid

Astrocytes are thought to play a role in amyloid production and have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Here is the latest research on the relationship between astrocytes and amyloid.

Alzheimer's Disease: APP

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) proteolysis is critical for the development of Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disease associated with accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain. Here is the latest research on APP and Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's Disease: Tau & TDP-43

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease. This feed focuses on the underlying role of tau proteins and TAR DNA-binding protein 43, as well as other genetic factors, in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's Disease: Amyloid Beta

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease associated with the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain; these plaques are comprised of amyloid beta deposits. Here is the latest research in this field.

Astrocytes

Astrocytes are glial cells that support the blood-brain barrier, facilitate neurotransmission, provide nutrients to neurons, and help repair damaged nervous tissues. Here is the latest research.