Greater loss of axons in primary progressive multiple sclerosis plaques compared to secondary progressive disease
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Medical Update Memo
May 19, 2009
SUMMARY
The underlying processes in the brain and spinal cord tissue responsible for progression of disability in MS are still unknown. Moreover, it has been suggested that these underlying processes might be different in primary progressive and secondary progressive MS. Brain. 2009 May; 132(Pt 5):1190-9
DETAILS
The underlying processes in the brain and spinal cord tissue responsible for progression of disability in MS are still unknown. Moreover, it has been suggested that these underlying processes might be different in primary progressive and secondary progressive MS. The authors of this study have investigated the post-mortem nervous tissue coming from the spinal cord of people with PPMS, SPMS and also healthy controls. They found that, despite people with SPMS having more extensive areas of loss of myelin content (demyelination), people with PPMS had higher levels of axonal loss within such areas of demyelination. These findings would suggest that in PPMS axons are more vulnerable to damage in demyelinating lesions. The results of this study offer new insights on the underlying process responsible for disease progression.
National Research and Programs
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Disclaimer
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is an independent, voluntary health
agency and does not approve, endorse or recommend any specific product or therapy,
but provides information to assist individuals in making their own decisions.
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