Examination of β-Protein Deposits in Alzheimer's Cerebral Cortices by Three-Dimensional Observation

Abstract: We examined the location of β-protein deposits (small diffuse plaques) in the cerebral cortices of Alzheimer's patients and aged nondemented controls by observing the methenamine silver stained serial sections. Some vessels, astrocytes or neuronal elements existed near or within the diffuse plaques, and the preamyloids in the plaques were frequently detected in direct contact with vessels, astrocytes or neuronal elements. Although these findings do not demonstrate that the β-protein within the senile plaques is produced in various cellular elements of the brain, they suggest some associations between β-protein deposition and vessels, astrocytes or neuronal elements.