Fig. 7

Sequential distribution patterns of astroglial tau pathology in the grey matter. In non-FTLD-tauopathies Patterns 1 and 2 are recognized. The distribution of grey matter ARTAG (granular-fuzzy astrocytes, GFA) shows Pattern 1 (a) characterized by the early involvement of the striatum (stage 1) followed by the amygdala (stage 2a), or cortex (here occipital is the latest to be involved) (stage 2b), or the brainstem (stage 2c); then a further region (striatum + amygdala + cortex, stage 3a; or striatum + amygdala + brainstem, stage 3b) followed by the involvement of all regions (stage 4). In pattern 2 (b) the amygdala (stage 1) precedes the involvement of the striatum (stage 2a) or the cortex (stage 2b), or the brainstem (stage 2c); then a further region (striatum + amygdala + cortex, stage 3a; or striatum + amygdala + brainstem, stage 3b; or amygdala + cortex + brainstem, stage 3c) followed by the involvement of all regions (stage 4). In CBD (c) the distribution of astrocytic plaques (AP) and grey matter ARTAG begins in the frontal (including premotor) and parietal cortex (stage 1) followed by temporal and occipital cortex (stage 2), paralelly moving into subcortical areas including either or both the striatum and the amygdala (stage 3) followed by the brainstem (stage 4) including the substantia nigra followed by pons and medulla oblongata. Regarding tufted astrocytes (TA) and grey matter ARTAG in PSP (d), a striatum (stage 1) to cortical (frontal-parietal to temporal to occipital) areas (stage 2 and b, respectively) to amygdala (stage 3) and to brainstem (stage 4), including the substantia nigra followed by pons and medulla oblongata, sequence can be recognized