Fig. 3.

Histology of the coarse-grained plaque compared to the cotton wool and classic cored plaque. a Anti-Aβ (6F/3D) staining showed that the coarse-grained plaque is relatively large (⌀ ≈ 80 µm), contains Aβ-devoid pores, and has an ill-defined border. b The coarse-grained plaque showed tissue distortion in H&E. c Congo red staining for the coarse-grained plaque demonstrated fibrillar amyloid not condensed in one core. d When the coarse-grained plaque contained pTau immunoreactive dystrophic neurites, the plaque-center was often devoid of pTau immunoreactivity. e, f The cotton wool plaque showed a distinct circumscribed border in both anti-Aβ (6F/3D) as well as H&E staining. g The cotton wool plaque lacked clear amyloid. h Neuritic threads indicated by pTau immunoreactivity, but not dystrophic neurites were seen within the cotton wool plaque. i The classic cored plaque demonstrated a central amyloid core, which was surrounded by a corona of non-fibrillar Aβ. j–l Central pit in classic cored plaques was visible in H&E as well as Congo red staining and was often surrounded by dystrophic neurites (pTau). Scale bar represents 50 µm and is applicable to all images. Aβ Amyloid-beta, H&E hematoxylin–eosin, pTau hyperphosphorylated tau