Neuron loss in the nucleus basalis of meynert in parkinsonism‐dementia complex of Guam

Abstract

The nucleus basalis of Meynert, which supplies diffuse cholinergic fibers to the cerebral neocortex, was investigated in two cases of parkinsonism‐dementia complex of Guam (PDG). The nucleus basalis of the two PDG patients showed extensive neuron loss when compared with age‐matched non‐Guamanian controls, suggesting the necessity of investigating activity of cholinergic enzymes in the brains of patients with PDG.