The unfolded protein response is activated in disease-affected brain regions in progressive supranuclear palsy and Alzheimer’s disease

Table 1 P-values for comparison of pPERK and pEIF2α immunoreactivity in PSP, AD, and normal controls for different brain regions

Comparison groups		Pons		Medulla		Midbrain		Hippocampus		Frontal cortex		Cerebellum
Comparison groups	pPERK	peIF2α	pPERK	peIF2α	pPERK	peIF2α	pPERK	peIF2α	pPERK	peIF2α	pPERK	peIF2α
AD vs. Normal	3.4E-5	0.0045	0.034	0.041	0.0026	0.0037	0.0006	0.0042	4.1E-5	4.1E-5	0.4	1
PSP vs. AD	3.8E-4	0.00049	1.7E-4	0.028	4.0E-7	0.009	0.000021	8.2E-5	1.6E-4	0.0049	0.5	1
PSP vs. Normal	3.8E-9	4.1E-5	6.1E-7	6.0E-6	6.0E-6	1.4E-4	0.0034	0.073	0.0045	0.1	1	1

P-values are from a Fisher exact test. “E” indicates “x 10^”. pPERK and peIF2α staining in PSP brainstem areas (pons, medulla, midbrain) were significantly greater than in AD or normal brainstem areas. AD brainstem areas had significantly more pPERK and peIF2α staining than normal brainstem areas. In contrast, primary AD-affected brain areas (hippocampus, frontal cortex) had significantly more pPERK and peIF2α staining than PSP or normal hippocampus and frontal cortex. There was no difference in staining between AD, PSP, or normal brains in the cerebellum.

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