Details
The basic quantitative characteristics obtained by computer morphometry of neurons and neuroglia in the
substantia nigra pars compacta were evaluated in autopsied brain tissue of elderly people with Parkinson’s
disease (PD) and of the elderly without any other neurological signs (control group). It was found that the
density of neurons, the number of dopamine neurons and the area of their somata were significantly lower
in PD compared to the control, and the overall density of neuroglia as well as the density of GFAP – and
S100-positive neuroglia were higher in PD. The data demonstrated that the number of neurons was significantly
decreased in the substantia nigra pars compacta in PD, but compensatory neurogliosis occurred in
response to neuronal death.
Key words: Parkinson’s disease, substantia nigra, morphometry, neurons, neuroglia
DOI: 10.31088/2226-5988-2018-27-3-4-8