Introduction to Neuropathology- CNS cells

Question 1

What do abnormal lysosomes in the neurons do?

Answer 1

gradually fill the cell body and processes, leading to destruction of the neuron

Question 2

Bielschowsky stain shows normal axons and dendrites but also reveals the lesions of ______.

Answer 2

Alzheimer’s disease

Question 3

What do cross bridges of tau protein and microtubule associated proteins (MAPs) do?

Answer 3

they link neurotubules together

Question 4

What is the main job of the oligodendrocyte?

Answer 4

make myelin in the CNS

Question 5

Where is the most common site of Wallerian degeneration?

Answer 5

the corticospinal tract

Question 6

What are ependymal cells?

Answer 6

cells that line the ventricular cavities

Question 7

What is neuropil?

Answer 7

the matrix of the cerebral gray matter

Question 8

_____ are the target for the viral infection in AIDS.

Answer 8

Microglia/monocytes

Question 9

Repair by _____ is less effective than collagenous repair and cysts are often the consequence of large destructive lesions in the CNS.

Answer 9

astrocytes

Question 10

Intracytoplasmic neuronal inclusions can be seen in______ and _____.

Answer 10

cytomegalic inclusion body disease; rabies

Question 11

This is diffuse deposition of Rosenthal fibers resulting in white matter degeneration and neuro dysfunction.

Answer 11

Alexander disease

Question 12

These are extracellular and distal manifestations of Alzheimer’s disease where amyloid accumulates in the brain.

Answer 12

classic neuritic plaques

Question 13

What is the pathognomonic feature of Pick body disease (dementia)?

Answer 13

Pick bodies

Question 14

____ stain shows normal axons and dendrites but also reveals the lesions of Alzheimer’s disease.

Answer 14

Bielschowsky

Question 15

In the adult brain, the neuron is a _____, _____ cell.

Answer 15

post-mitotic, nonreplaceable

Question 16

What is the H&E stain for?

Answer 16

DNA/RNA but not neuronal processes

Question 17

These are homogenous, eosinophilic, elongated, or globular inclusions in astrocytic processes seen in old brain scars.

Answer 17

Rosenthal fibers

Question 18

What is the perivascular (Virchow-Robin) space?

Answer 18

subarachnoid space that dips into the CNS

Question 19

How are neurotubules linked together?

Answer 19

cross bridges of tau protein and microtubule associated proteins (MAPs)

Question 20

What are classic neuritic plaques?

Answer 20

extracellular and distal manifestations of Alzheimer’s disease where amyloid accumulates in the brain

Question 21

What is the pathognomonic feature of Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 21

Lewy bodies

Question 22

____ are the most sensitive cell in the brain to sudden decreases in O2 or glucose.

Answer 22

Neurons

Question 23

How long can neurons survive anoxia?

Answer 23

5-15 minutes max

Question 24

Can oliodendrocytes regenerate?

Answer 24

regeneration is very limited

Question 25

The neuropil is traversed by \_\_\_\_\_\_.

Answer 25

blood vessels

Question 26

Axons and dendrites are best viewed using ____ stains.

Answer 26

silver

Question 27

Name 5 cells within the brain.

Answer 27

1. neurons 2. astrocytes 3. oligodendrocytes 4. ependymal cells 5. microglia

Question 28

In \_\_\_\_\_, abnormal filaments appear in the perikaryon, forming neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs).

Answer 28

Alzheimer's disease

Question 29

What is the subarachnoid space that dips into the CNS called?

Answer 29

the perivascular (Virchow-Robin) space

Question 30

What can persistent microglia activation cause?

Answer 30

damage --\> Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, HIV encephalopathy, etc

Question 31

How can ischemic neurons be ID'd histologically, and what are they called?

Answer 31

they're shrunken, eosinophilic, and nucleus is pyknotic; called red cell neurons

Question 32

What is the major scar former in the CNS?

Answer 32

astrocytes

Question 33

Myelin is a special cell membrane-derived insulation for axons which facilitates efficient ______ conduction.

Answer 33

saltitory

Question 34

What is the largest, longest, and most metabolically active cell in the body?

Answer 34

the neuron

Question 35

How are oligodendrocytes different than Schwann cells?

Answer 35

they're in the CNS and they myelinate many cells at once with a different type of myelin

Question 36

Neurons are in close contact with their "caregivers," the \_\_\_\_\_.

Answer 36

oligodendrocytes

Question 37

Where do microglia come from?

Answer 37

blood monocytes

Question 38

Astrocyte cytoplasm contains intermediate filaments that are made of a distinct protein, \_\_\_\_\_.

Answer 38

glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)

Question 39

What are tanycytes?

Answer 39

ependymal cells that serve various neuroendocrine or ionic transport functions

Question 40

What is Wallerian degeneration?

Answer 40

an axonal alteration where the axon is transected and the portion distal to the transection degenerates bc the energy source is cut off

Question 41

What are the functions of microglia?

Answer 41

* phagocytosis * monitor CNS environment * restore homeostasis

Question 42

What is Alexander disease?

Answer 42

diffuse deposition of Rosenthal fibers resulting in white matter degeneration and neuro dysfunction

Question 43

In Alzheimer's disease, abnormal filaments appear in the \_\_\_\_\_, forming \_\_\_\_\_.

Answer 43

perikaryon; neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs)

Question 44

Why are glial fibrillary acidic proteins (GFAPs) important?

Answer 44

Abs to them can demonstrate reactive and neoplastic astrocytes; mutations of them cause Alexander disease

Question 45

What are microglia?

Answer 45

phagocytes/APCs in the brain (but have to migrate there)

Question 46

Describe unique features of the organelles w/I a neuron.

Answer 46

* large, round vesicular nucleus * prominent nucleolus * stacks of rER (Nissl substance)

Question 47

What is the difference between a neurofilament and a neurotubule?

Answer 47

* neurofilament = 10nm * neurotubule = 20-26nm polymers of alpha and beta tubulin

Question 48

What is the pathognomonic feature of Alzheimer's disease?

Answer 48

neurofibrillary tangles

Question 49

During brain development, certain astrocytes known as ______ have a key role as "scaffolds" to allow neuronal migration.

Answer 49

radial glia

Question 50

The matrix of the cerebral gray matter is the \_\_\_\_\_.

Answer 50

neuropil

Question 51

What are Rosenthal fibers?

Answer 51

homogenous, eosinophilic, elongated, or globular inclusions in astrocytic processes seen in old brain scars

Question 52

What is cytoplasmic lipofuscin?

Answer 52

a lysosomal enzyme/neuronal storage disease

Question 53

Why do Alzheimer type II astrocytes develop?

Answer 53

due to severe liver damage in hepatic encephalopathy

Question 54

What are some pathologies of oligodendroglia?

Answer 54

* they are lost in MS * infected by viruses in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy * accumulate material in lysosomes in metachromatic leukodystrophy

Question 55

This occurs when the neuronal cytoplasm becomes smooth and the nucleus is displaced toward the periphery; it means that the neuron has been disconnected from its target.

Answer 55

central chromatolysis

Question 56

What is central chromatolysis and what does is signify?

Answer 56

* when the neuronal cytoplasm becomes smooth and the nucleus is displaced toward the periphery * means that the neuron has been disconnected from its target

Question 57

What are some ependymal cell pathologies?

Answer 57

disruption and loss in hydrocephalus, bacterial ventriculitis, or viral infections

Question 58

Do astrocytes form the BBB?

Answer 58

no, but they help regulate/modulate it