NACP/alpha-synuclein-positive filamentous inclusions in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes of Parkinson's disease brains.

The precursor of the non-Abeta component of Alzheimer's disease amyloid (NACP), also called alpha-synuclein, is a major component of Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease (PD) as well as of neuronal and oligodendroglial cytoplasmic inclusions in multiple system atrophy. We previously reported argyrophilic, tau-negative glial inclusions in the midbrains of patients with PD and have now conducted immunocytochemical and ultrastructural examinations. The PD glial inclusions also are immunoreactive for NACP/alpha-synuclein, but not for beta-synuclein, and ultrastructurally are composed of filamentous structures about 25-40 nm in diameter. Double immunolabeling showed that the inclusions were present in both astrocytic and oligodendroglial cells. They were located within the substantia nigra in 13 of 30 patients with PD and outside the nigra in 24. The number of inclusions was correlated with the severity of nigral neuronal loss. These findings indicate that abnormal accumulation of NACP/alpha-synuclein in glial cells is a pathological feature of PD related to its progression.