Abstract
We analyzed smooth muscle actin (SMA) immunoreactivity in brain blood vessels of 10 ApoE 4,4 Alzheimer disease (AD) patients and 10 ApoE 3,3 AD patients matched for age, sex, and duration of dementia. We also examined 10 cognitively and neuropathologically normal controls matched for age and sex. Vascular SMA immunoreactivity in the arachnoid, grey matter, and white matter was quantified by image analysis. There was less SMA immunoreactivity in blood vessels of all AD patients when compared to cognitively and neuropathologically normal controls (p < 0.001). In addition, arachnoidal vessels of ApoE 4,4 AD patients had less SMA immunoreactivity than ApoE 3,3 AD patients (p < 0.05). There is decreased vascular SMA density in arachnoid, grey matter, and white matter blood vessels in patients with AD when compared to age matched, cognitively and neuropathologically normal controls. The severity of the loss of SMA within the AD group may depend on ApoE type.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Actins / deficiency
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Actins / metabolism*
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Aged
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Aged, 80 and over
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Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
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Alzheimer Disease / pathology
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Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology
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Apolipoprotein E3
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Apolipoprotein E4
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Apolipoproteins E / genetics
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Arachnoid / blood supply
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Arachnoid / pathology
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Arachnoid / physiopathology
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Brain / blood supply*
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Brain / pathology
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Brain / physiopathology
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Cerebral Arteries / metabolism*
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Cerebral Arteries / pathology
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Cerebral Arteries / physiopathology
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Down-Regulation / physiology
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Female
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Genotype
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Humans
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Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
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Immunohistochemistry
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / metabolism*
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Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / pathology
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Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / physiopathology
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Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / metabolism
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Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / pathology
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Reference Values
Substances
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Actins
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Apolipoprotein E3
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Apolipoprotein E4
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Apolipoproteins E