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The Nucleus Basalis of Meynert

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Cheryl Ezrin-Waters  and
L. Resch
Cheryl Ezrin-Waters*
Affiliation:
Department of Neuropathology, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto
L. Resch
Affiliation:
Department of Neuropathology, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto
*
Neurology Program, Addiction Research Foundation, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2S1
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Abstract:

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The nucleus basalis of Meynert has been studied extensively in the recent literature. Interest in this nucleus has resulted from the discovery that it is a major source of cortical cholinergic input and that there is neuronal loss in the nucleus basalis in some dementing illnesses. Consistent and severe involvement of the nucleus basalis of Meynert has been found in Alzheimer's disease and in the dementia accompanying Parkinson's disease. Occasional involvement is present in other dementing illnesses, such as progressive supranuclear palsy, Parkinsonism-Dementia complex of Guam, dementia pugilistica, Pick's disease, Korsakoff's syndrome, Down's Syndrome and Creutzfeldt- Jakob disease. Huntington's disease spares this nucleus. However, the role of the nucleus in cognitive function is as yet undetermined. Even its alteration with normal aging remains controversial. This review details the pathological studies of this region to date, with particular emphasis on the dementias. Its role in the dementias of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease is specifically addressed.

Type
Special Features
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , February 1986 , pp. 8 - 14
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1986

References

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