DISTRIBUTION AND QUANTIFICATION OF PATHOLOGICAL PROTEINS, ASTROCYTES AND NEURONS IN THE SUBVENTRICULAR ZONE IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in aging and is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau. Although classical neuropathology staging systems have primarily focused on selected cortical regions and the hippocampus, traditionally considered less vulnerable, may also participate in AD progression from transentorhinal involvement (AD stages I–II) and limbic regions (stages II–IV) to diffuse isocortical damage (stages V–VI). Among these regions, the subventricular zone adjacent to the lateral ventricles (LV-SVZ) is of particular interest due to its heterogeneous cellular organization and its role as a neurogenic niche.
This study aimed to analyze the morphology and cytoarchitecture of the most rostral LV-SVZ in brains diagnosed with AD, as well as the presence and distribution of Aβ, tau, astrocytes, and neurons in this region. The organization of the ependymal layer and variations in astrocytic and microglial density were evaluated. Compared with control cases, AD brains exhibited a less structured cytooarchitecture, toghether with a differential distribution of Aβ and tau deposits. In addition, regional differences were observed among the medial, lateral, dorsal, and ventral subdivisions of the walls of the ventricle.
These findings suggest that the LV-SVZ may be involved in local glial responses and abnormal protein deposition, potentially contributing to the neuroinflammatory and degenerative processes characteristic of AD.
This work forms part of the doctoral thesis of Rubén Rico-Sánchez and was supported by FEDER–UCLM funds (2025-GRIN-38449) and FEDER-Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha (SBPLY-19-180501-000216; SBPLY24-180225-000120).