Abnormal cytoskeletal pathology peculiar to corticobasal degeneration is different from that of Alzheimer's disease or progressive supranuclear palsy

An autopsy case of clinically diagnosed "corticobasal degeneration (CBD)" was investigated. In addition to status spongiosus and neuronal achormasia around the central sulcus, cortical pyramidal neurons and thread-like structures were densely stained by Gallyas stain and tau immunohistochemistry, but apparent fibrillary structures like Alzheimer's disease neurofibrillary tangle were absent. Bodian, methenamine-Bodian, Congo red, thioflavin S, or Bielshowsky stains failed to visualize these structures. They were not stained by immunohistochemical stain with anti-ubiquitin antibody. The widespread cytoskeletal pathology, which is distinct from that in Alzheimer's disease or progressive supranuclear palsy, is suggestive of CBD.