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Alzheimer type II astrocye
The Alzheimer type II astrocyte is a pathological cell found in the brain. Like other astrocytes, it is a non-neuronal glial cell. They are not associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Characteristics
Alzheimer type II astrocytes are visually characterized by an enlarged size and lack of cytoplasm. These astrocytes appear to metabolically hyperactive, and contain vesicular nuclei and basophilic nucleoli. They also contain thin marginal chromatin and excessive amounts of glycogen. Alzheimer type II astrocytes may be found in both cortical and subcortical areas, including the brain stem, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and thalamus.

Pathology
Alzheimer type II astrocytes are present in hepatic encephalopathy and Wilson's disease. The presence of Alzheimer type astrocytes is a key indicator of hepatic encephalocity, and may be induced by increased bodily ammonia. The origin of Alzheimer type II astrocytes is unclear, although they are known to arise from astroglial cells in the development of Wilson's disease. Experiments with mice have shown that exposure to manganese leads to the development of Alzheimer's type II astrocytes. This suggests that manganism, a neurological disorder with Parkinson's-like symptoms, is caused by the development of these astrocytes through manganese poisoning.