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Morphology of neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques

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Alzheimer’s Disease. Epidemiology, Neuropathology, Neurochemistry, and Clinics

Part of the book series: Key Topics in Brain Research ((KEYTOPICS))

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Summary

Abnormal filaments (PHF) accumulate in neurons in Alzheimer’s disease in target areas. They fill the pericaryon but are also found in dendrites and axons. Their presence is associated with a disappearance of microtubules and neurofilaments, and an accumulation of dense bodies, altered mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Their ultrastructure differs from normal cytoskeletal fibers but one of their main components are the tau proteins. Senile plaques are composed of a core of amyloid fibers surrounded by abnormal neurites containing PHF and accumulations of organelles, reactive astrocytes and microglia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and Electron Microscopy, Erasmus University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium

    Prof. J. Flament-Durand & J. P. Brion

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  1. Prof. J. Flament-Durand
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  2. J. P. Brion
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Federal Republic of Germany

    Konrad Maurer , Peter Riederer  & Helmut Beckmann ,  & 

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© 1990 Springer-Verlag Wien

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Flament-Durand, J., Brion, J.P. (1990). Morphology of neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques. In: Maurer, K., Riederer, P., Beckmann, H. (eds) Alzheimer’s Disease. Epidemiology, Neuropathology, Neurochemistry, and Clinics. Key Topics in Brain Research. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-3396-5_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-3396-5_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-211-82197-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-3396-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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