Ultrastructural heterogeneity of neuronal lipofuscin in the normal human cerebral cortex. 1986

J W Boellaard, and W Schlote

The ultrastructure of the age pigment in neurons of the normal human isocortex was investigated in seven autopsies and two biopsies. In the autopsies four cortical areas of Brodmann, viz. 6, 7, 11 and 17 were studied. The lipofuscin granules appear as complexes composed of lipid and pigment. These are characterized by their shape, frequency per neuron, the relative amount of pigment and lipid in the complexes, and the structure of the matrix. The neurons contain numerous varieties of lipopigment, six of which occur with great frequency and are designated as varieties 1-6. Variety 1 is found in pyramidal neurons and seems to be characteristic of long loop projectory neuronal systems. 2 is found in large non-pyramidal neurons. 3 is found in pyramidal and non-pyramidal neurons. 4, 5 and 6 are found in non-pyramidal neurons. The pigment matrix is linear in all six varieties of lipopigment. Short linear elements are present in varieties 1, 2 and 5. Long linear elements are found in varieties 3, 4, and 6. Circular whorled arrangements are found in 4. We think that these varieties of lipofuscin may signify metabolic and/or functional differences of the different types of neurons and may contribute to the biochemical classification of cortical neurons.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008062 Lipofuscin A naturally occurring lipid pigment with histochemical characteristics similar to ceroid. It accumulates in various normal tissues and apparently increases in quantity with age.
D008854 Microscopy, Electron Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen. Electron Microscopy
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010860 Pigments, Biological Any normal or abnormal coloring matter in PLANTS; ANIMALS or micro-organisms. Biological Pigments
D002540 Cerebral Cortex The thin layer of GRAY MATTER on the surface of the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES that develops from the TELENCEPHALON and folds into gyri and sulci. It reaches its highest development in humans and is responsible for intellectual faculties and higher mental functions. Allocortex,Archipallium,Cortex Cerebri,Cortical Plate,Paleocortex,Periallocortex,Allocortices,Archipalliums,Cerebral Cortices,Cortex Cerebrus,Cortex, Cerebral,Cortical Plates,Paleocortices,Periallocortices,Plate, Cortical
D003594 Cytoplasmic Granules Condensed areas of cellular material that may be bounded by a membrane. Cytoplasmic Granule,Granule, Cytoplasmic,Granules, Cytoplasmic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000369 Aged, 80 and over Persons 80 years of age and older. Oldest Old

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