The Cortical Neuritic Dystrophy of Alzheimer’s Disease: Nature, Significance, and Possible Pathogenesis

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Abstract
It has been increasingly appreciated in the last decade that the neocortex of the Alzheimer’s disease brain is characterized by a widespread neuritic dystrophy, spatially distinct from that observed surrounding neuritic amyloid plaques. The nature and significance of this cortical neuritic dystrophy and its possible pathogenesis are the topics of this review. It may represent a regenerative sprouting response of neurons to partial deafferentation following cell loss; alternatively it may reflect a primary aberrant growth phenomenon leading to cell loss. Such changes could result from derangement of neurite growth-promoting and growth-inhibitory factors in the Alzheimer’s disease brain.