Three-dimensional X-ray image throws light on neurodegenerative disease

The image shows neuronal cell nuclei of the dentus gyratus (yellow) and associat
The image shows neuronal cell nuclei of the dentus gyratus (yellow) and associated blood vessels (red). By varying the magnification of the X-ray optics, one can ’zoom in’ on the densely packed band of neurons (in the red oval) and also resolve the substructure of the cell nucleus (blue oval). The study showed a change in the cell nucleus structure occurring in Alzheimer’s disease towards a more compact and heterogeneous structure, which could be explained by a change in the packing density of the DNA. Photo: M. Eckermann/T. Salditt
The image shows neuronal cell nuclei of the dentus gyratus ( yellow ) and associated blood vessels ( red ). By varying the magnification of the X-ray optics, one can 'zoom in' on the densely packed band of neurons (in the red oval) and also resolve the substructure of the cell nucleus (blue oval). The study showed a change in the cell nucleus structure occurring in Alzheimer's disease towards a more compact and heterogeneous structure, which could be explained by a change in the packing density of the DNA. Photo: M. Eckermann/T. Salditt Team from Göttingen University and University Medical Center identifies changes in nerve tissue in Alzheimer's What changes occur in parts of the brain affected by neurodegenerative disease? How does the structure of the neurons change? Some pathological changes in the tissue are easy to identify using standard microscopy. For example, the protein deposits known as "plaques", which occur in Alzheimer's disease, can be seen with staining techniques. However, pathological changes can also be of a more subtle nature and easily missed unless there is a complete digitilisation and analysis of the three-dimensional structure.
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