Imaging of calcium and aluminum i neurons in parkinsonism-dementia (x-ray microanalysis/pyramidal neurons/mineral metabolism)

We report the distribution and imaging of calcium and aluminum in neurofibrillary tangle (NFT)-bear- ing neurons within Sommer'S sector of the hippocampus in Guamanian patients with parkinsonism-dementia, using a method of computer-controlled electron beam x-ray micro- analysis and wavelength dispersive spectrometry. Calcium and aluminum were distributed in cell bodies and axonal processes of NFT-bearing neurons. The elemental images show that both calcium and aluminum deposits occur within the same NFT- bearing hippocampal neuron in this dementing disease, sug- gesting that these elements are involved in NFT formation. No prominent concentrations of calcium and aluminum were im- aged in non-NFT-containing regions within the pyramidal cell layer of the parkinsonism-dementia cases or in the control cas- es. These findings support the hypothesis that secondary hyperparathyroidisnm resulting from low environmental calci- um and magnesium in the high-incidence focus of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinsonism-dementia on Guam had led to abnormal deposition of calcium and aluminum in the cen- tral nervous system.