Relative sparing of nitric oxide synthase-containing neurons in the hippocampal formation in Alzheimer's disease

Ann Neurol. 1992 Dec;32(6):818-20. doi: 10.1002/ana.410320618.

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is an endogenous neuromodulator that may mediate neurotoxic effects of glutamate. NO-synthesizing neurons are, however, resistant to NO- and glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. We now show that NO synthase neurons are selectively spared in patients with Alzheimer's disease, even in a severely affected region of the brain such as the hippocampal formation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / enzymology*
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / metabolism*
  • Hippocampus / enzymology*
  • Hippocampus / pathology
  • Humans
  • Neurons / enzymology*
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase

Substances

  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Amino Acid Oxidoreductases