Variability of β-Amyloid Protein Deposited Lesions in Down's Syndrome Brains

Ikeda, S., Tokuda, T., Yanagisawa, N., Kametani, F., Ohshima, T. and Allsop, D. Variability of β-Amyloid Protein Deposited Lesions in Down's Syndrome Brains. Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 1994, 174 (3), 189-198 An immunohistochemical study was carried out on the brains of 7 adult Down's syndrome cases (ages 31 to 62) using antibodies to β-protein, β-amyloid protein precursor and tau-protein. Variable forms of β-protein deposited lesions (including senile plaques and cerebrovascular amyloidosis) were observed in extensive areas of the neocortex of all cases and coexistence of both β-protein amyloid fibrils and β-amyloid protein precursors was also seen in some of these lesions. Moreover, 3 cases at an advanced stage showed a few plaque-like lesions with β-protein immunoreactivity in the white matter. The following temporal morphological change is suggested for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease: senile plaque undergo sequential structural changes and β-protein amyloid deposits in the form of “early plaque” precede the development of tau-immunoreactive neurofibrillary degeneration. Down's syndrome; Alzheime's disease; dementia; amyloid; β-protein.