[Recent advances in the neuropathological evaluation of Alzheimer's disease: the importance of alpha-synuclein].

INTRODUCTION AND METHOD: The uncertainty regarding the nosology and significance of Lewy bodies (LB) in dementia is still very present in current research. It is an acknowledged fact that an important number of cases of Alzheimer s disease (AD) also present LB. These can be detected by a synuclein immunohistochemistry in most of the sporadic cases of AD and is most frequently detected in the amygdala. CONCLUSIONS: Although the role of LB and the filaments of Lewy in the pathogenesis of dementia has still to be determined, it is clear that alphya-synuclein immunohistochemistry represents an important advance in the evaluation of the neuropathological changes in AD and in associated dementias.