Argyrophilic grain disease: case report of the first two cases in the Czech Republic and review of the literature

Cesk Patol. 2006 Apr;42(2):66-70.

Abstract

Argyrophilic grain disease (AgD) is a relatively newly described neurodegenerative disease with late-onset dementia. Morphologically it is characterized by the presence of abundant spindle-shaped argyrophilic grains (ArG) in neuronal processes and coiled bodies in oligodendrocytes. ArG consist of abnormally hyperphosphorylated form of tau protein. AgD is a substrate of at least 5% of all dementia cases with increasing incidence in the old age. Here we report the cases of a 91-year-old woman and an 83-year-old man clinically diagnosed with dementia. Neuropathological, histochemical and immunohistochemical examination of the brain tissue show the changes to be compatible with a definite diagnosis of AgD. This is the first description of two cases of AgD in the Czech Republic.

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / pathology*
  • Dementia / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Silver Staining
  • Tauopathies / pathology*