Relative sparing of nitric oxide synthase-containing neurons in the hippocampal formation in Alzheimer's disease.

Hyman, B T; Marzloff, K; Wenniger, J J; Dawson, T M; Bredt, D S; Snyder, S H · Ann Neurol · 1992

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Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is an endogenous neuromodulator that may mediate neurotoxic effects of glutamate. NO-synthesizing neurons are, however, resistant to NO- and glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. We now show that NO synthase neurons are selectively spared in patients with Alzheimer's disease, even in a severely affected region of the brain such as the hippocampal formation.

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