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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Tuomo Polvikoski
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
According to a generally accepted concept Lewy-related pathology (LRP) follows hierarchical caudo-rostral progression. LRP is also frequently present concomitantly with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and it has been hypothesized that AD-associated LRP forms a distinct type of α-synucleinopathy, where LRP originates in the amygdala. The frequency of distinct forms of LRP progression types has not been studied in a population-based setting. We investigated the distribution and progressionof LRP and its relation to AD pathology and apolipoprotein (APOE) ε4 in a population-based sample of Finns aged over 85 years (N = 304). Samples from spinal cord to neocortical areas representing 11 anatomical sites without any hierarchical selection were analyzed immunohistochemically (α-synuclein antibody clone 5G4). LRP was present in 124 individuals (41%) and according to DLB Consortium guidelines 19 of them were categorized as brainstem, 10 amygdala-predominant, 41 limbic, and 43 diffuse neocortical type, whereas 11 could not be classified. To determine the LRP progression patterns, a systematic anatomical scoring was carried out by taking into account the densities of the semiquantitative LRP scores in each anatomic site. With this scoring 123 (99%) subjects could be classified into two progression pattern types: 67% showed caudo-rostral and 32% amygdala-based progression. The unsupervised statistical K-means cluster analysis was used as a supplementary test and supported the presence of two progression patterns and had a 90% overall concordance with the systematic anatomical scoring method. Severe Braak NFT stage, high CERAD score and APOE ε4 were significantly (all p < 0.00001) associated with amygdala-based, but not with caudo-rostral progression type (all p > 0.2). This populationbased study demonstrates two distinct common LRP progression patterns in the very elderly population. The amygdala-based pattern was associated with APOE ε4 and AD pathology. The results confirm the previous progression hypotheses but also widen the concept of the AD-associated LRP.
Author(s): Raunio A, Kaivola K, Tuimala J, Kero M, Oinas M, Polvikoski T, Paetau A, Tienari PJ, Myllykangas L
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Acta Neuropathologica
Year: 2019
Volume: 138
Pages: 771-782
Online publication date: 07/09/2019
Acceptance date: 30/08/2019
Date deposited: 10/12/2019
ISSN (print): 0001-6322
ISSN (electronic): 1432-0533
Publisher: Springer
URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-019-02071-3
DOI: 10.1007/s00401-019-02071-3
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