HISTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PAS-POSITIVE INCLUSIONS IN THE PURKINJE CELL OF THE CEREBELLAR CORTEX IN THE ADULT CAT

Abstract

A chemical analysis of the PAS-positive inclusions present in the Purkinje cell of the adult cat has been attempted utilizing various accepted histochemical procedures. Two distinct types of inclusions have been identified. The inclusions of the first type are present m the Purkinje cells of all investigated animals and appear as isolated granules distributed more or less at random within the pericaryone and the primary dendritic branches; these granules exhibit the histochemical characteristics of a neutral mucopolysaccharide. The inclusions of the second type are present in the Purkinje cells of only 9 of the 22 investigated animals and appear as granules grouped into clusters of varying size and shape usually located in the upper half portion of the pericaryone and also within the primary dendritic branches; these granules contain not only a mucopolysaccharide but also a lipid and a protein fraction. This mucopolysaccharide–lipid–protein complex exhibits the physical properties and the staining reactions of the lipofuscin pigments.