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Abstract
Volume and total cell number were determined in the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular
(PVN) nuclei of 14 male and 16 female subjects ranging in age from 10 to 93 years.
In addition, 4 male and 6 female subjects suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD)
and ranging in age from 46 to 97 years were studied. Subjects were divided into two
age groups, viz., "young" for subjects up to 60 years, and "old" for subjects older
than 60. No sex differences in volume and in total cell number were observed in the
SON and PVN in either age group. In addition, no significant correlation was found
between total cell number in the SON and PVN and brain weight. No significant differences
in volume and total cell number were found in either the SON or PVN between young
and old control subjects or between AD cases and controls, indicating that these nuclei
are spared from degenerative changes in senescence and AD. Determination of neuron
numbers in the SON supported this view. In contrast, volume and total cell counts
in the suprachiasmatic decreased in senescence and were dramatically reduced in AD.
The present results indicate the occurrence of differential patterns of cell loss
within the human hypothalamus with aging and in AD, which are proposed to be related
to functional differences between the hypothalamic nuclei.