Neuronal plasticity and astrocytic reaction in Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease

Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models

Proteins relatively enriched in neurons (neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and D3-protein) or in glia (glutamine synthetase, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S100) were measured by quantitative immunochemical methods in autopsy samples of the cerebral cortex of subjects with Alzheimer disease (AD) and adults with Down syndrome (DS), the latter also presenting manifest signs of Alzheimer type of neuropathology. The trend of changes was similar in AD and DS, but more marked in the latter. The biochemical make-up of astrocytes was differentially affected: in both the frontal and DS temporal cortex the specific concentration of glutamine synthetase was unaltered, while that of S100 and the soluble form of GFAP was markedly elevated (about 260% and 690% of control values, respectively). In the AD frontal cortex the estimates for glutamine synthetase were normal, while S100 and GFAP were about 180% and 230% of control. The observations (normal GS and elevated levels of the other markers) might suggest that the pathological changes involve a differentiated astrocytic reaction and that the astrocytic reaction is more marked in DS than in AD. In DS the increase in S100 could be explained, in part, by a gene dosage effect and in part by reactive gliosis. The neuronal markers were also differentially affected. In comparison with appropriate controls, the concentration of D3-protein in frontal cortex was decreased by 24% in DS and by 14% in AD, whereas NCAM levels were not significantly affected. The ratio of NCAM to D3-protein was significantly increased by 32% and 8.5% in DS and AD, respectively. These observations are consistent with the view that the destruction of mature neuronal structures (as marked by the D-3 protein) coincides with the formation of new neuronal membranes (as indicated by NCAM), i.e. in these degenerative disorders plastic changes are taking place involving cerebral cortex neurons in which trophic substances may be instrumental.

@article{jorgensen1990-1977892,
  author  = {Jørgensen, O. S. and Brooksbank, B. W. and Balázs, R.},
  title   = {{Neuronal plasticity and astrocytic reaction in Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease}},
  journal = {Journal of the neurological sciences},
  year    = {1990},
  doi     = {10.1016/0022-510x(90)90182-m},
  pmid    = {1977892},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-510x(90)90182-m}
}

Key findings

• The observations (normal GS and elevated levels of the other markers) might suggest that the pathological changes involve a differentiated astrocytic reaction and that the astrocytic reaction is more marked in DS than in AD.
• In comparison with appropriate controls, the concentration of D3-protein in frontal cortex was decreased by 24% in DS and by 14% in AD, whereas NCAM levels were not significantly affected.
• The ratio of NCAM to D3-protein was significantly increased by 32% and 8.5% in DS and AD, respectively.

Why it matters

This autopsy study compared brain proteins in people with Alzheimer's disease and adults with Down syndrome, finding a more marked astrocytic reaction in Down syndrome. It is a tissue study and does not test any treatment, cure or prevention.

New to this subject? Start with our plain-English guide: Blood tests & biomarkers →

Study details

• Effect sizedecreased by 24%; increased by 32%; 8.5%
• Evidence strengthLow

Read the original

• DOI: 10.1016/0022-510x(90)90182-m
• PubMed: 1977892
• Original source →

May need a subscription Unpaywall, Europe PMC and OpenAlex found no free copy of the full text (checked 10 Oct 2026), so the publisher may charge for it. The PubMed abstract is free.

Studies this one cites

Referenced by this study and also in the alzhub library, so you can read them here.

• Glial fibrillary acidic protein and Alzheimer-type senile dementia Neurology · 1980-07-01 · usefulness score 43/100 · Biomarkers

Later studies that cite this one

3 studies in the alzhub library list this one in their references.

• Astrocytosis and axonal proliferation in the hippocampus of S100b transgenic mice Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 1994-06-01 · usefulness score 41/100 · Down syndrome and Alzheimer's
• Excessive glutamine sensitivity in Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome lymphocytes Journal of the neurological sciences · 1995-11-01 · usefulness score 33/100 · Down syndrome and Alzheimer's
• Understanding perspectives and research trends in Down syndrome neuropathogenesis: A bibliometric analysis Journal of intellectual disabilities : JOID · 2024-11-13 · usefulness score 30/100 · Down syndrome and Alzheimer's

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Also tagged “down”

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• Neuropeptide Y immunoreactive neurons in murine trisomy 16 cortical cultures. Plasticity of expression and differentiation Molecular and chemical neuropathology · 1994-08-01 · usefulness score 30/100 · Down syndrome and Alzheimer's
• Elevated expression of beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 2 in brains of patients with Down syndrome Neuroscience letters · 2002-06-01 · usefulness score 38/100 · Down syndrome and Alzheimer's
• Radioresistant DNA synthesis and human genetic diseases Human genetics · 1989-05-01 · usefulness score 35/100 · Down syndrome and Alzheimer's

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• Down's syndrome, neuroinflammation, and Alzheimer neuropathogenesis 2013 · Down syndrome and Alzheimer's
• Neuropathology of Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease 1990 · Down syndrome and Alzheimer's
• Cerebrovascular pathology in Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease 2017 · Down syndrome and Alzheimer's
• Aging in Down Syndrome and the Development of Alzheimer's Disease Neuropathology 2016 · Inflammation and the immune system
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