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Dense neurofibrillary degeneration of the posterior cortex, BA 19/37, in a cognitively normal monozygotic twin at high risk for Alzheimer's disease
Author(s) -
McKee Ann Carolyn,
Jefferson Angela,
Barrup Melissa,
Kowall Neil
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.707.7
Subject(s) - senile plaques , entorhinal cortex , cortex (anatomy) , pathology , neurofibrillary tangle , medicine , alzheimer's disease , psychology , neuroscience , disease , hippocampus
We previously reported that 50% of cognitively intact elderly have dense neurofibrillary degeneration in Brodmann area (BA) 19/37. We now report the finding of focal tau pathology in the posterior cortex of a cognitively intact identical twin at high risk for AD. A male Caucasian chemical engineer developed AD symptoms at age 60, first manifest as the inability to read maps, followed by progressive loss of memory and intellect over 16 years until his death at age 76. Post‐mortem exam confirmed severe AD (NIA‐Reagan: high, CERAD plaque: frequent, Braak: VI). His identical twin, also a chemical engineer with an identical education, died at 79 years from prostate cancer. At the time of his death, he was cognitively intact, except for slight loss of his navigational skills. Post‐mortem exam revealed sparse neuritic plaques and entorhinal and transentorhinal NFTs (NIA‐Reagan: low, CERAD: sparse, Braak: II). Despite the mild non‐diagnostic AD changes, there were dense NFTs, neuropil threads and tau immunoreactive neuritic plaques in the posterior cortex, BA 19/37. The finding of dense BA 19/37 pathology in this monozygotic twin, at high risk for the development of AD, but in the preclinical stages of AD at the time of his death, further confirms the early neurofibrillary degeneration of the posterior cortex in some individuals prior to the development of AD. Supported by NIA P30 AG13846, and by the Dept of Veteran's Affairs.