Figure 2.

A selective loss of Purkinje cells in a patient with Sjogren’s syndrome with cerebellar degeneration. The patient was an 84-year-old woman who presented with nystagmus, dysarthria and ataxia in all limbs. Anti-Ro/SSA antibodies concentrations were determined to be > 500 U/mL, and anti-La/SSB antibodies were 41.1 U/mL. Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy was moderately effective. The patient died of pneumonia at age 85 years; an autopsy was then performed [6]. (a) A photomicrograph shows a mild-to-moderate decrease in the number of Purkinje cells in association with mild Bergman gliosis elsewhere in the cerebellar cortex. (b) This photomicrograph shows a normal human cerebellar tissue section with an appropriate number of Purkinje cells. Hematoxylin and eosin stain. The photomicrographs of tissue sections from this patient were reprinted and modified with permission from the publisher ([6], figure 4, Creative Commons CC BY). Arrowheads indicate Purkinje cells.