Figure 3.

Morphology of neurons stained by an antibody that recognizes neurofibrillary tangles. (Upper) Immunopositive neurons in cultured slices prepared from apoE^−/− mice. The micrographs are ordered according to a proposed sequence of pathological steps. (A) Two neurons in the subiculum with immunopositive cell bodies and primary dendritic branches (white arrows). Note that other neurons in the field are unlabeled (black arrows). (B) Neuron with a dense deposit (cap) in one pole of its cell body. (C) Neuron with pathological swelling (arrow) of a distal dendrite. (D and E) Cells with pathological dendritic expansions proximal to the cell body. (F) Exploded process attached to a dendrite containing fibrous material. Note that the dense cap of immunopositive material covers most of the cell body. (G and H) Dense caps that do not appear to be associated with somata, i.e., remnants of neurons. (Bar = 12.5 μm in A, 10 μm in B, 8 μm in C, 15 μm in D and H, 11 μm in E and G, and 17 μm in F.) (Lower) Immunopositive neurons in the hippocampus from a brain of a patient classified as being in the early stages of AD. The micrographs are again arranged according to a proposed sequence of pathologies. (A) Apparently intact pyramidal neuron with a dense cap and a labeled apical dendrite. (B and C) Neurons with dendritic swellings. (D and E) Dendritic expansions proximal to the cell body. (F and G) Immunopositive caps that do not appear to be attached to intact neurons. (Bar = 50 μm in A, 45 μm in B and D, 30 μm in C, 18 μm in E, 20 μm in F, and 12.5 μm in G.)