Neuron loss in the nucleus basalis of Meynert in parkinsonism-dementia complex of Guam.

The nucleus basalis of Meynert, which supplies diffuse cholinergic fibers to the cerebral neocortex, was investigated in two cases of parkinsonism-dementia complex of Guam (PDG). The nucleus basalis of the two PDG patients showed extensive neuron loss when compared with age-matched non-Guamanian controls, suggesting the necessity of investigating activity of cholinergic enzymes in the brains of patients with PDG.