Brain - Mineralization




comment:
Mineralization in the CNS comprises either incidental multifocal microscopic deposits of mineral or secondary dystrophic calcification occurring after necrosis. Figure 1

On the other hand, mineral deposits, secondary to necrosis, are attributed to the commonly observed but complex process of dystrophic mineralization. Dystrophic mineralization is often seen as lamellar calcospherites found secondary to small clustered regions of neuronal necrosis at various neural sites, such as depicted in Figure 3





Figure 5

recommendation:
Mineralization in the thalamus is not interpreted as a treatment effect unless it is absent in controls. If treatment or dose related, the lesion is diagnosed and graded based on the extent of the lesion. Dystrophic mineralization should be diagnosed simply as mineralization regardless of the variation in the spectrum of residual lesions such as calcospherites, or osteoid or osseous metaplasia. Such variations should be included in the narrative. The diagnosis should include the subsite unless the incidence is multifocal across brain regions. Severity grading is based on the extent of the lesion. In the presence of concurrent lesions, the most severe lesion is typically diagnosed. Other concurrent lesions may be diagnosed separately, if warranted by the severity.references:
Eidelman N, Boyde A, Bushby AJ, Howell PGT, Sun J, Newbury DE, Miller FW, Robey PG, Rider LG. 2009. Microstructure and mineral composition of dystrophic calcification associated with the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Arthritis Res Ther 11(5):R159. Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19857267
Kalueff A, Loseva E, Haapasalo H, Tuchimaa P. 2006. Thalamic mineralization in vitamin D receptor knock-out mice. Neuroreport 17:717-721. Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16641675
Landis WJ. 1996. Mineral characterization in calcifying tissues: Atomic, molecular and macromolecular perspectives. Connect Tissue Res 34:239-246. Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9084632
Morgan KT, Johnson BP, Frith CH, Townsend J. 1982. An ultrastructural study of spontaneous mineralization in the brains of ageing mice. Acta Neuropathol 58:120-124. Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7180386
Roach HI. 1992. Induction of normal and dystrophic mineralization by glycerophosphates in long-term bone organ culture. Calcif Tissue Int 50:553-563. Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1525713
Yanai T, Yamoto T, Manabe J, Takaoka M, Matsunuma N. 1987. X-ray microanalysis of mineralization in the thalamus of aged mice. Jap J Vet Sci 49:920-922. Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3682532
Web page last updated on: January 02, 2014