von Economo神经元在神经退行性疾病中病理改变的研究

von Economo神经元是一类具有纺锤形特征的神经元，主要分布在人类大脑前岛叶和前扣带回，与自我意识和社会情感等高级认知以及自主神经功能相关。近年来研究发现，这类细胞在某些神经精神疾病 (包括精神分裂症和自闭症) 数量显著减低。而这类细胞在神经退行性疾病 (包括阿尔茨海默病、帕金森病、帕金森叠加综合征等) 中的改变，国内外鲜有报导。我们推测von Economo神经元参与神经退行性疾病过程，其数量和形态等特征发生明显改变并与神经精神症状和自主神经症状有关。为证实该假说本课题依托于神经退行性疾病脑组织库，通过免疫组织化学、免疫荧光、蛋白免疫印迹杂交、体视学和电镜等技术，旨在明确von Economo神经元在神经退行性疾病：(1)树突及其分枝结构改变 (2)神经生化改变 (3)数量改变 (4)与病理性蛋白沉积的关系 (5)超微结构改变。进而阐述这类神经元参与神经退行性改变的潜在机制。

von Economo neuron (VEN) is characteristic with spindle shape and first systematically described by the neuropathologist Constantin von Economo. VEN is generally distributed in anterior insular lobe and anterior cingulate cortex, and correlated to complicated cognition such as self-consciousness and social emotion. In recent years, stereological studies illustrated the reduced number of VEN in schizophrenia and autism. But rare reports were found in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. With the hypothesis that there are pathological changes of VEN in NDs, this project is to be carried out. The specimens are from the neurodegenerative biobanks located in Chinese PLA general hospital and BrainNet Europe. Immunohistochemistry, stereology, immunofluorescence, Westernblot and electron microscopy will be used to focus on the pathological changes of VEN in NDs: (1)Dendritic arborization (2)Neurochemical architecture (3)Total number of VEN (4)Relationships with pathological accumulations (5)Ultrastructure. In summary, we aim to explain the potential mechanisms of VEN involving in neurodegeneration via pathological findings.