Fig. 5

The nucleus basalis of Meynert demonstrates p-MAPT neuropathology in NIA/AA stages B2 and B3. a. Images (original magnification 100x) from sections of the nucleus basalis of Meynert from representative cases with NIA/AA stages B0-1, B2 or B3 neuropathology are shown. Cases with B0-1 neurofibrillary degeneration demonstrated no significant process or magnocellular neuronal staining in the nucleus basalis (top panel). Cases with B2 and B3 neurofibrillary degeneration (middle and bottom panels, respectively) demonstrated AT8-ir processes and neurons. b. Cases with B3 neurofibrillary degeneration demonstrated increased AT8-ir processes (upper graph; p < 0.001, ANOVA; Bonferroni post-hoc test comparisons as indicated) and neurons (lower graph; p < 0.001, ANOVA; Bonferroni post-hoc test comparisons as indicated) compared to cases with B0-1 neurofibrillary degeneration. Cases with B2 neurofibrillary degeneration demonstrated increased AT8-ir neurons and a strong trend towards increased AT8-ir processes compared to cases with B0-1 neurofibrillary degeneration (Bonferroni post-hoc test comparisons as indicated in graph panels). c. Correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between Braak stages of neurofibrillary degeneration and both AT8-ir processes (n = 30, R = 0.802, p < 0.001) and AT8-ir neurons (n = 30, R = 0.836, p < 0.001) in the nucleus basalis of Meynert