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. 2013 Oct;126(4):537-544.
doi: 10.1007/s00401-013-1171-0. Epub 2013 Aug 31.

Globular glial tauopathies (GGT): consensus recommendations

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Globular glial tauopathies (GGT): consensus recommendations

Zeshan Ahmed et al. Acta Neuropathol. 2013 Oct.

Abstract

Recent studies have highlighted a group of 4-repeat (4R) tauopathies that are characterised neuropathologically by widespread, globular glial inclusions (GGIs). Tau immunohistochemistry reveals 4R immunoreactive globular oligodendroglial and astrocytic inclusions and the latter are predominantly negative for Gallyas silver staining. These cases are associated with a range of clinical presentations, which correlate with the severity and distribution of underlying tau pathology and neurodegeneration. Their heterogeneous clinicopathological features combined with their rarity and under-recognition have led to cases characterised by GGIs being described in the literature using various and redundant terminologies. In this report, a group of neuropathologists form a consensus on the terminology and classification of cases with GGIs. After studying microscopic images from previously reported cases with suspected GGIs (n = 22), this panel of neuropathologists with extensive experience in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases and a documented record of previous experience with at least one case with GGIs, agreed that (1) GGIs were present in all the cases reviewed; (2) the morphology of globular astrocytic inclusions was different to tufted astrocytes and finally that (3) the cases represented a number of different neuropathological subtypes. They also agreed that the different morphological subtypes are likely to be part of a spectrum of a distinct disease entity, for which they recommend that the overarching term globular glial tauopathy (GGT) should be used. Type I cases typically present with frontotemporal dementia, which correlates with the fronto-temporal distribution of pathology. Type II cases are characterised by pyramidal features reflecting motor cortex involvement and corticospinal tract degeneration. Type III cases can present with a combination of frontotemporal dementia and motor neuron disease with fronto-temporal cortex, motor cortex and corticospinal tract being severely affected. Extrapyramidal features can be present in Type II and III cases and significant degeneration of the white matter is a feature of all GGT subtypes. Improved detection and classification will be necessary for the establishment of neuropathological and clinical diagnostic research criteria in the future.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Comparison of oligodendroglial and astrocytic inclusions found in GGT and PSP Comparison of oligodendroglial and astrocytic inclusions and distribution of tau pathology in the grey matter (temporal cortex for cases representing Type I and PSP and motor cortex for cases representing Type II and III) and white matter (underlying white matter of the representative cortical areas) in representative cases of GGT types and PSP. Scale bar represents 10 μm in the images for oligodendrocytes and astrocytes and 100 μm for the overview images of the grey and white matter. Immunostaining is specific for phosphorylated-tau (AT8)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Classification strategy for GGT in relation to other commonly recognised 4R-tauopathies. Abbreviations: CBD corticobasal degeneration, PSP progressive supranuclear palsy, GGT globular glial tauopathies, FTLD-MAPT frontotemporal lobar degeneration with MAPT mutation, AGD argyrophilic grains disease, MND motor neuron disease features, FTD frontotemporal dementia

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