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Abstract #3382

MRI measured brain and spinal cord atrophy differ between mouse strains in a murine model of MS

M. Mateo Paz Soldan 1 , Jeffrey D. Gamez 1 , Mekala Raman 1 , Slobodan I. Macura 2 , Aaron J. Johnson 3 , and Istvan Pirko 1

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

Multiple sclerosis pathology is characterized by demyelination, axonal loss and neuronal damage. Neurologic disability correlates with axonal loss and atrophy. Using in vivo MRI, we established a time course of brain and spinal cord atrophy in a murine MS model, and correlated that with functional disability. Mouse strains with spontaneous remyelination show limited atrophy and disability, while mouse strains without remyelination display progressive atrophy and disability. Brain atrophy occurs early while spinal cord atrophy is delayed. Both correlate strongly with disability. Remyelination is a key component of axonal/neuronal survival, which likely explains improved functional and radiological outcomes in this model.

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