Fig. 2

Identification of balloon cells, dysmorphic and hypertrophic neurons. BCs presented large perikaria and eccentric nuclei upon H&E (a), cresyl violet (b) and silver staining by the Bielschowsky’s method (c). Nucleolus was prominent (b), and the cytoplasm was homogeneous (a, b, c), glassy and eosinophilic by H&E staining, and without a detectable Nissl substance (a). DNs exhibited large cell bodies and nuclei (d, e, f), and Nissl substance was characteristically clumped or clumped and displaced towards the cell membrane (d, e). DNs neurons presented an eccentric nucleus, due to filament accumulation (f, silver impregnation). HyNs were as large as DNs, but their large nucleus was central (g, h, i, j), and Nissl substance was either not observed (g) or appeared as usual. HyNs were decorated by anti-neurofilament proteins (i) and SMI 311 antibodies (j), which are markers of mature neurons. Cases: 9, a and b; 1, c; 11, d, f; 16, e; 10, g, i, j; 8, h. H&E staining: a, d, e, g; Cresyl violet staining: b; silver impregnation: c, f, h; anti-neurofilament antibody: i; SMI 311 antibody, j. Bars, 30 μm: a, b, c; 40 μm: d, e, f, g, i, j; 100 μm: h