Alzheimer's disease affects limbic nuclei of the thalamus
Abstract
Sensitive silver techniques for amyloid and neurofibrillary changes were applied to examine the pathological changes revealed by limbic nuclei of the thalamus in Alzheimer's disease. Large numbers of extracellular amyloid deposits occurred in almost all thalamic nuclei. The antero-ventral nucleus harbored numerous large globular patches, other areas contained more densely packed and smaller deposits, while narrow zones of gray matter subjacent to the ependymal lining of the third ventricle remained virtually devoid of amyloid. Intraneuronal neurofibrillary changes were encountered in the form of distended argyrophilic processes covering the medial convexity of the antero-ventral nucleus. Similar structures, although in considerably lesser density, occurred in the laterally adjoining reticular nucleus. The anterior nuclear complex, the latero-dorsal nucleus, portions of the intralaminar complex, the paraventricular and reuniens nucleus contained numerous neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads. The antero-dorsal nucleus showed the most severe involvement. At first glance, the thalamus appeared to be only mildly affected by Alzheimer's disease. Closer inspection revealed that severe changes were confined to only a few limbic nuclei. These changes were virtually identical in amount, type and location in all cases of severe Alzheimer's disease studied. It is assumed that these changes considerably hamper the transport of information through limbic circuits.
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The prominence of thalamic ROIs is consistent with their roles in AD.
“The prominence of thalamic ROIs is consistent their roles in AD67,68,69.”
From Magnetic resonance microscopy maps widespread effects of Alzheimer’s disease on brain structures and behavior in mice (2026) · cites this paper as [68]
Tangles are first seen in the entorhinal cortex (Braak stages I-II), then the hippocampus and thalamus (Braak stages III-IV) and finally the neocortex (Braak stages V-VI), a sequence typically synchronous with cognitive decline from mild cognitive impairment to severe dementia.
“Tangles are first seen in the entorhinal cortex (EC) (Braak stages I–II), then the hippocampus and thalamus (Braak stages III–IV) and finally the neocortex (Braak stages V–VI), a sequence that is typically synchronous with cognitive decline from mild cognitive impairment to severe dementia1,2,4–7.”
From Single-cell multiregion dissection of Alzheimer’s disease (2024) · cites this paper as [7]
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- Authors
- Braak, H., & Braak, E.
- Affiliations
- Goethe University Frankfurt (DE)
- ORCID
- Braak, H.
- Venue
- Acta Neuropathologica
- Published
- 1991-02
- Volume
- 81
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 261-268
- ISSN
- 0001-6322 (ISSN-L)
- 1432-0533
- OpenAlex
- W1990264298
- Cited by
- 328
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 4.48
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Acta Neuropathologica (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Keywords
- Alzheimer's disease, thalamus, amyloid deposits, neurofibrillary tangles, reticular nucleus, neuropil threads, limbic circuits, silver staining
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Alzheimer Disease, Amyloid, Dementia, Down Syndrome, Female, Humans, Limbic System, Male, Middle Aged, Neurons, Reticular Formation, Staining and Labeling, Thalamic Nuclei
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