Morphochemical Changes in the Human Striatum in Aging

Abstract

Age-dependent neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, are characterized by a group of pathomorphological signs, such as neuronal death in certain brain structures, gliosis, and iron accumulation. However, literature data confirm that these signs can also be observed in normal (physiological) aging. The aim of the study is to evaluate qualitative and quantitative morphochemical changes in neurons and neuroglia in the human striatum in physiological aging, as well as changes in the localization of iron(II) compounds. It is found that neuronal cell bodies become significantly smaller in size at older ages, as compared with mature years, although the density of their distribution does not differ; the distribution density of total neuroglia and astrocytes, however, becomes higher at older ages. In addition, accumulations of iron(II) compounds are diagnosed along the vascular walls and inside the cytoplasm of neurons and glial cells. The indicators of physiological aging obtained in this research may serve as a basis for comparative studies of neurodegenerative processes in normal and pathological aging and for the pathomorphological diagnosis of age-associated neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease.