Senile plaque-like structures: observation of a probably unknown type of senile plaque by periodic-acid methenamine silver (PAM) electron microscopy.

Numerous diffuse senile plaque-like structures (SPLSs) were found in the cerebral cortex from cases with dementia of the Alzheimer type by means of the methenamine-Bodian method. SPLSs varied in shape and size. They were never recognized in the original Bodian, PAS and Congo red preparations, but were positive with anti-beta-protein immunostaining and periodic-acid methenamine silver (PAM) methods, which are thought to specifically stain amyloid substance. With PAM electron microscopy, we found sparse aggregations of amorphous, often ramified, structures with fine granular silver deposits in SPLS. Routine electron microscopic examination on the same portion where SPLS were confirmed by PAM electron microscopy revealed amorphous, partially fibrous structures. These structures might be amyloid or amyloid-precursor substance. In SPLSs only a few degenerated neurites and astrocytic processes with glycogen granules were seen. We consider SPLSs to be a kind of senile plaque.