Lamellar bodies in heterotopic neurons of the cerebellum.

Small eosinophilic inclusion bodies were observed in the cytoplasm and processes of heterotopic neurons of the cerebellum in a case of Werdnig-Hoffmann disease. They were oval, triangular, or rod-shaped and measured 2-10 microns. Histochemically, these bodies contained a considerable amount of protein, lipid, and some polysaccharide, but no nucleic acid. The inclusion bodies were ultrastructurally identified with giant lamellar bodies. It was suggested that this body was a pathologic intraneuronal structure which is possibly related to the degenerating process of neurons.