Summary
We report the histological findings in a case of hereditary diabetes insipidus (HDI) using vasopressin (VP) immunohistochemistry. The hypothalamus displayed a marked loss of magnocellular VP neurons, with preservation of the smaller cells. The neurohypophysis was severely atrophic with scanty immunoreactivity. Our results support the hypothesis that HDI results from a selective degeneration of VP neurons affecting chiefly the magnocellular elements projecting to the neurohypophysis. The sparing of the parvocellular component may reflect the projection of these neurons to non-pituitary targets.
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Bergeron, C., Kovacs, K., Ezrin, C. et al. Hereditary diabetes insipidus: an immunohistochemical study of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Acta Neuropathol 81, 345–348 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00305879
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00305879