LAFORA-LIKE BODIES IN A CAT - CASE-REPORT SUGGESTIVE OF GLYCOGEN-METABOLISM DISTURBANCES

Lafora-like bodies in an 8-year-old cat were studied light and electron microscopically and histochemically. In addition to Lafora-like bodies composed of branching filaments, glycogen granules and electron-dense materials, abnormal accumulations of glycogen granules attracted attention. The most remarkable features were the developmental processes of the branching filaments originating directly from glycogen granules. Lafora-like bodies in the present study showed ultrastructural, histochemical, and enzymatic similarities to those described in the previous reports in Lafora's disease, glycogenosis and other cases. From these results, a certain disturbance of the glycogen metabolism is considered to be probably related to the productive mechanism of Lafora-like bodies. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.