Hirano

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Hirano bodies are eosinophilic (acidic-staining) inclusions found in the neurons of individuals with certain neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. They were first described by K. Hirano in 1965 and are particularly common in the hippocampus of people with Alzheimer's disease.

Structure[edit | edit source]

Hirano bodies are rod-shaped or rectangular, and are typically 10-30 micrometers long. They are composed of parallel arrays of 8-10 nm filaments, which are often arranged in a stacked or paracrystalline manner. The filaments are composed of actin, a protein that is important for cell structure and movement.

Pathology[edit | edit source]

The exact role of Hirano bodies in disease is not well understood. They are often found in the brains of elderly individuals, and their presence is associated with a number of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, they can also be found in the brains of healthy individuals, suggesting that they may not be directly involved in disease pathology.

Research[edit | edit source]

Research into Hirano bodies is ongoing. Some studies suggest that they may play a role in disrupting cell function, while others suggest that they may be a response to cellular stress. Further research is needed to fully understand their role in disease.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Hirano Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD