Premium
Elevated luteinizing hormone expression colocalizes with neurons vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease pathology
Author(s) -
Bowen Richard L.,
Smith Mark A.,
Harris Peggy L.R.,
Kubat Zvezdana,
Martins Ralph N.,
Castellani Rudolph J.,
Perry George,
Atwood Craig S.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.10452
Subject(s) - luteinizing hormone , disease , pathology , alzheimer's disease , biology , hormone , neuroscience , medicine , endocrinology
In individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), there is a two‐fold elevation in the serum concentrations of the gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone compared to age‐matched controls. Whether this plays a role in disease pathogenesis is unclear. Nonetheless, gonadotropins are known to cross the blood brain barrier and the highest density of gonadotropin receptors in the brain are found within the hippocampus. We report for the first time the localization of LH in the cytoplasm of pyramidal neurons. In addition, we find a significant increase in LH in the cytoplasm of pyramidal neurons and neurofibrillary tangles of AD brain compared to age‐matched control brain. Whereas the functional consequences of increased neuronal LH are unknown, it is notable that LH is primarily localized to those neurons that are known to be vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease‐related neurodegeneration. Elevated serum and cortical neuron levels of LH, coupled with the decline in sex steroid production, could play important roles in the pathogenesis of AD. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.