Pathological Study on Cerebellar Atrophy in Aging

Abstract

We have reported that age related brain atrophy progress more slowly in brainstem and cerebellum than in cerebrum using CT measurement method. Age related cerebellar atrophy, and correlation between cerebellar atrophy and arteriosclerosis were studied in 142 autopsy brains (60-102 years) of neurologically and pathologically normal patients. The sectioned areas of cerebellar vermis and hemispheres were calculated using a digitizer connected to a personal computer. In addition, the number of Purkinje cells were calculated in the sagittal section of cerebellar hemisphere. Weight of whole brain and cerebellum measured before section. The degree of arteriosclerosis in the vertebral basilar artery was scored from none to severe range. The significant inverse correlation was observed between age and indices of cerebellar atrophy such as brain weight (=-0.32) cerebellar weight (r=-0.26) and areas of cerebellar vermis (r=-0.30) and cerebellar hemisphere (r=-0.37). The atrophy of the cerebellum became prominent after 80 years. The number of Purkinje cells declined with the advancement of old age. Cerebellar atrophy and decrease of Purkinje cells paralleled arteriosclerosis of the vertebral basilar artery. 1) Cerebellar atrophy occurs with advancing age as well as cerebrum, however it is relatively mild before 80 years. 2) Arteriosclerotic change of vertebro-basilar artery enhances age related cerebellar atrophy. © 1987, The Japan Geriatrics Society. All rights reserved.