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  • Title: Altered distribution of the gangliosides GM1 and GM2 in Alzheimer's disease.
    Author: Pernber Z, Blennow K, Bogdanovic N, Månsson JE, Blomqvist M.
    Journal: Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord; 2012; 33(2-3):174-88. PubMed ID: 22572791.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder where β-amyloid tends to aggregate and form plaques. Lipid raft-associated ganglioside GM1 has been suggested to facilitate β-amyloid aggregation; furthermore, GM1 and GM2 are increased in lipid rafts isolated from cerebral cortex of AD cases. AIM/METHOD: The distribution of GM1 and GM2 was studied by immunohistochemistry in the frontal and temporal cortex of AD cases. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) was included as a contrast group. RESULTS: The distribution of GM1 and GM2 changes during the process of AD (n = 5) and FTD (n = 3) compared to controls (n = 5). Altered location of the GM1-positive small circular structures seems to be associated with myelin degradation. In the grey matter, the staining of GM1-positive plasma membranes might reflect neuronal loss in the AD/FTD tissue. The GM1-positive compact bundles were only visible in cells located in the AD frontal grey matter, possibly reflecting raft formation of GM1 and thus a pathological connection. Furthermore, our results suggest GM2 to be enriched within vesicles of pyramidal neurons of the AD/FTD brain. CONCLUSION: Our study supports the biochemical finding of ganglioside accumulation in cellular membranes of AD patients and shows a redistribution of these molecules.
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