(PiD) is one of the frontal lobar dementias, primarily characterized by the presence of distinct argyrophilic (silver staining) spherical inclusions called Pick bodies and globose neurons.  It is a rare disorder, accounting for between 0.4-2% of all dementia cases (Jellinger, et. al. 1990).  Marked atrophy of the frontal pole and hippocampus is common, along with spongiform changes and astrogliosis.  The Pick body is composed of numerous tau fibrils arranged in a disorderly array (Marayama, et. al., 1990; Takauchi, et. al., 1984).  Tau protein is a major component of the Pick body, but numerous other antibodies also stain Pick bodies, including those to ubiquitin, alpha-synuclein, and apolipoprotein E.  While Pick bodies are primarily found in neurons, small, Pick-body like inclusions have been described in glial cells (Komori, 1999).
 

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