Meeting Banner
Abstract #2083

Determinants and Consequences of Brain Atrophy, Disability, Demyelination, Remyelination and Neuronal Loss in an MS Model

Istvan Pirko 1 , Jeffrey Gamez 1 , Pascal Alihnuii Atanga 1 , Stephanie J LaFrance 2 , Slobodan I Macura 3 , and Aaron J Johnson 2

1 Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States, 2 Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States, 3 NMR Core Facility, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States

Brain atrophy in MS is an important determinant of functional outcome, yet its pathogenesis remains unclear. Using a virally induced murine MS model, we determined that class I haplotype plays a major influence on atrophy development. Atrophy and disability are independent from each other in mouse strains that dont develop persistent demyelination; however, atrophy and disability strongly correlate when chronic demyelination is present. Brain atrophy development is overall unrelated to and independent of demyelination, and is the consequence of axonal/neuronal loss. Remyelination results in axonal preservation, preserved disability, and lack of brain atrophy development in the studied model.

This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.

Join Here