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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
09:41
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
Neocortical neuronal, synaptic, and glial loss in multiple sclerosis
C Wegner1, M M Esiri, S A Chance
1Centre for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain, University of Oxford, UK. chrwegner@gmx.de
Neurology
|September 27, 2006
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes significant neocortical damage, including neuronal and glial loss, and striking synaptic loss within lesions. This pathology contributes to MS progression and necessitates new therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
- Immunology
Background:
- Neocortical lesions are prevalent in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Structural MRI indicates early and substantial neocortical atrophy in MS.
- The precise pathological basis for MS-related neocortical atrophy remains quantitatively undefined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess cortical thickness in MS.
- To measure neuronal, glial, and synaptic densities in the MS neocortex.
Main Methods:
- Studied brain samples from 22 MS patients and 17 controls.
- Assessed neocortical lesions and thickness using myelin basic protein staining.
- Quantified cell and synaptic densities in lesions and nonlesional cortex via immunoautoradiography.
Main Results:
- Neocortical lesions were common in MS patients (Type I: 38%, Type III: 44%).
- A 10% relative neocortical thinning was observed in MS patients.
- Type I lesions showed significant glial (36%) and neuronal (10%) loss, with a 47% decrease in synaptic density.
Conclusions:
- Neocortical neuronal and glial degeneration is a significant feature of MS.
- Striking synaptic loss in neocortical lesions contributes substantially to MS pathology.
- Therapeutic strategies should aim to mitigate this neurodegenerative damage in MS.
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