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Table 2 Differentiating pathological and biochemical features between PSP and CTE

From: Concomitant progressive supranuclear palsy and chronic traumatic encephalopathy in a boxer

Pathological features

PSP

CTE

Tau protein isoform profile

-4-repeat predominant tau

-Both 4- and 3-repeat tau

  

-4-repeat predominant astrocytic tangles in subpial and periventricular regions

Characteristic features

-Neuronal (NFTs, neuropil threads) and glial pathology (tufted astrocytes, coiled bodies) in a typical distribution

-Perivascular NFTs locate at depths of sulci and in superficial cortical layers

 

-Neuronal loss in STN and dentate nucleus

-Subpial, perivascular and periventricular astrocytic tangles

  

-Relatively mild Aβ pathology

  

-Ghost tangles in limbic region and temporal neocortex

Shared features

-Associated TDP-43 related pathology limited to limbic region

-TDP-43 pathology in CTE tends to be more widespread involving cortical region in stage III and IV

 

-Neuronal loss in SN and LC

-Neuronal loss in SN and LC

Distribution of hyperphosphorylated tau pathology

-SN, STN, GP, pons

-Cortical regions including frontal cortex, medial temporal lobe, thalamus and brainstem

 

-Striatum, oculomotor complex, medulla, dentate nucleus, inferior olive and neocortex

 
  1. CTE: chronic traumatic encephalopathy, GP: globus pallidus, LC: locus ceruleus, NFT: neurofibrillary tangle, PSP: progressive supranuclear palsy, SN: substantia nigra, STN: subthalamic nucleus.