Neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions

Neurons contain the same intracellular components as do other cells. No unique cytoplasmic inclusions of the neuron distinguish it from any other cell. Neurons have all the morphological counterparts of other cell types, the structures are similarly distributed and some of the most common, the Golgi apparatus and mitochondria, for example, were described first in neurons (Fig. 1-4). 

Another example of a relevant toxin effect is evidence that chronic, systemic inhibition of complex I by the lipophilic pesticide rotenone causes highly selective degeneration of nigrostriatal DA neurons that can produce hypokinesia and rigidity, as well as accumulation of fibrillar cytoplasmic inclusions that contain ubiquitin and a-synuclein (75). These findings lend additional support to the view that environmental toxic factors may contribute to risk of PD. 

Most forms of frontotemporal dementia manifest vacuolation of the superhcial cortical layers, ballooned neurons, and gliosis. Specihc inclusions include silver stain-positive and tau-positive Pick bodies in Pick disease and ubiquitin-positive cytoplasmic inclusions that are tan and a-synuclein negative in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (see Table 20.14). 

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