Cytophotometric mapping of neuronal changes in senile dementia.

Results of a cytophotometric study have shown a widespread reduction in cytoplasmic RNA of nerve cells. It appears, therefore, that although certain aspects of the symptomatology of senile dementia may be accounted for by lesions in particular anatomical sites, the main part of the neurological disturbance is related to more broadly based changes in nerve cell metabolism affecting much, if not all, of the CNS.