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Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
09:41

Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Published on: July 19, 2019

Multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease

Assunta Dal Bianco1, Monika Bradl, Josa Frischer

  • 1Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.

Annals of Neurology
|October 11, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Microglia activation in multiple sclerosis (MS) cortex does not significantly influence Alzheimer's disease (AD) lesion development. Similar microglia activation patterns were observed in both MS and AD, suggesting distinct pathological drivers.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Neuropathology

Background:

  • Chronic inflammation and microglia activation are implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) lesion formation and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) pathology.
  • The MS cortex experiences significant inflammation, microglia activation, and demyelination, raising questions about its impact on AD lesion development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the extent to which chronic inflammation in the MS cortex influences the development of AD lesions.
  • To compare microglia activation patterns in MS and AD cortices and their association with specific pathologies.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of autopsy brain tissue from 45 MS cases, 9 AD cases, and 15 controls.
  • Assessment of lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltration, microglia activation, beta-amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles (AT8+), and myelin pathology.

Main Results:

  • Profound and similar microglia activation patterns were observed in both MS and AD cortices.
  • Microglia activation in MS cortex correlated with meningeal lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltrates, unlike in AD and controls.
  • No significant difference in beta-amyloid plaque or neurofibrillary tangle density was found between demyelinated and non-demyelinated areas in MS cases.

Conclusions:

  • Microglia activation within the MS cortex appears to have minimal to no direct impact on the development of cortical AD pathology.
  • The findings suggest that MS-related cortical inflammation does not drive AD lesion formation.

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