I am writing this column at the request of my former colleague, Dr. Hirotake Uchikado, with whom I had the privilege of working for two years at the Mayo Clinic. Our shared time there was marked by deep discussions on neuropathology, clinical relevance, and the long arc of scientific work. It is in that spirit that I would like to reflect on a recent and personally meaningful development.
In late 2024, a research group at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine introduced the term “Lin bodies” to describe a distinct pathological structure, referencing papers I published in 2008 and 2009 (1,2). Their work appeared in Acta Neuropathologica Communications (2024) (3). While the naming itself was unexpected, it prompted me to reflect on how pathological observations mature over time.

Pathological Significance of Lin Bodies
Lin bodies are small, perivascular pTDP-43–positive structures observed in specific neurodegenerative conditions. From a neuropathological standpoint, these structures were originally described as having distinctive and reproducible morphological features identifiable on routine histopathology and supported by immunohistochemical findings. The 2024 study demonstrated that Lin bodies are not incidental artifacts but occur in specific disease contexts, suggesting a relationship to underlying cellular pathology.
Importantly, Lin bodies show consistent localization and morphology, supporting their classification as a distinct pathological entity. The Kentucky group further suggested potential links to mechanisms such as cellular stress responses, abnormal protein processing, or neurodegenerative cascades, although their precise molecular composition remains to be fully elucidated.
In an era dominated by molecular diagnostics, this recognition underscores the continued relevance of morphological pathology. Many disease concepts still begin at the microscope, where careful observation can reveal patterns that later molecular techniques help explain.

Recognition Across Time
Having a structure named after one’s work is not merely symbolic. It indicates that an observation has gained shared meaning within the scientific community. In this case, it reflects a continuity of inquiry spanning more than a decade — from initial description to independent rediscovery and formal definition.
For younger researchers, this experience offers a quiet but important lesson: not all contributions are immediately recognized. Well-documented observations, grounded in careful pathology, may acquire significance long after publication.

A Message Beyond Pathology
Dr. Uchikado’s work in community-based dementia care through the HIRATSUKA Model (4) emphasizes continuity — between research and practice, and between specialists and the communities they serve. I find it fitting that this reflection on Lin bodies appears in that context.
Pathology, like community medicine, advances through accumulation rather than immediacy. Each careful observation becomes part of a larger narrative, connecting past insight with future understanding.
I hope that Lin bodies will continue to stimulate discussion, investigation, and deeper understanding in neuropathology, and that they will encourage clinicians and researchers alike to trust the enduring value of careful observation.

References
1.Lin WL, Dickson DW. Ultrastructural localization of TDP-43 in filamentous neuronal inclusions in various neurodegenerative diseases. Acta Neuropathol. 2008 Aug;116(2):205–213. doi:10.1007/s00401-008-0408-9. PMID:18607609; PMCID:PMC2706695.
2.Lin WL, Castanedes-Casey M, Dickson DW. Transactivation response DNA-binding protein 43 microvasculopathy in frontotemporal degeneration and familial Lewy body disease. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 2009 Nov;68(11):1167–1176. doi:10.1097/NEN.0b013e3181baacec. PMID:19816201; PMCID:PMC2783428.
3.Shahidehpour RK, Nelson PT, Bachstetter AD. A pathologic study of perivascular pTDP-43 Lin bodies in LATE-NC. Acta Neuropathol Commun. 2024 Jul 12;12(1):114. doi:10.1186/s40478-024-01826-8. PMID:38997773; PMCID:PMC11241908.
4.Uchikado H. Ninchisho Shinryo Start Book: Practical Dementia Care for Primary Care Physicians and Multidisciplinary Teams. Tokyo: Chugai Igakusha; 2025. (in Japanese)