Neurofibrillary pathology in the brainstem of the tau mutant pR5 mouse

Neurofibrillary changes of the telencephalon have been studied extensively in individuals having suffered from Alzheimer's disease while brainstem nuclei have only recently come into the limelight. Since conclusions from post-mortem studies by nature are limited an ani-mal model displaying brainstem neurofibrillary changes is highly desirable. We are in the process of screening the brainstem of aged tau mutant pR5 mice using antibodies to hyperphosphorylated tau and markers for neurotransmitters. The comparative assessment performed so far revealed nuclei affected by neurofibrillary pathology in both species and others showing changes either in man or mouse. Adrenergic and serotonergic markers did not show major differences between pR5 and wild-type mice. The results of the ongoing study will provide a basis to study the functional consequences of pathological changes in brainstem nuclei.