Gradual progression
The risk of exhibiting psychiatric problems
increases with the accumulation of brain lesions
In the initial stage, classified as 0 in the Braak Staging, the first lesions appear (pink areas) in the brainstem. There are no symptoms
Severity of lesions
SOURCE LEA T. GRINBERG LAB / UCSF
The lesions intensify in a nucleus (arrow) in the brainstem and begin to appear in the cortex (circle) in stages 1 and 2. The risk of depression, anxiety, and restlessness increases
The lesions in the brainstem worsen in stages 3 and 4. They also advance to the cortex. The risk of depression, anxiety, and restlessness remains high. Memory loss occurs
In stages 5 and 6, cells die (dark areas) in the brainstem and lesions cover the cortex. Memory, coordination, and perception of surroundings are compromised. Delusions and hallucinations occur