Synonyms
Alpha-synuclein inclusions
Definition
Lewy bodies (LBs) are an abnormal aggregation of protein that develops inside the cytoplasm of neuronal cells. LBs contain ubiquitin, alpha-synuclein, and other associated enzymes (see section “Cell Biology” below for more detail) (McKeith 2000). LBs can vary in size from 8 μm to 30 μm in diameter. There may be a single LB or multiple LBs in a particular neuron (Masterman and Swanberg 2003). They are identified microscopically using histologic staining techniques and typically appear as spherical masses that have a dense core with a surrounding halo (see Fig. 1).
Lewy body inclusion in the substantia nigra (Image courtesy of James B. Leverenz, M.D. Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health)
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Kraybill, M., Suchy, Y. (2018). Lewy Bodies. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_503
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