Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Abbiategrasso Brain Bank Protocol for Collecting, Processing and Characterizing Aging Brains
12:28

Abbiategrasso Brain Bank Protocol for Collecting, Processing and Characterizing Aging Brains

Published on: June 3, 2020

Proposed neuropathological criteria for the post mortem diagnosis of multiple system atrophy

J Q Trojanowski1, T Revesz,

  • 1Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute on Ageing of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, USA. trojanow@mail.med.upenn.edu

Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology
|November 10, 2007
PubMed

Insights

The Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) Working Group recommends glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) as a definitive neuropathological diagnostic criterion. Widespread GCIs composed of alpha-synuclein are now key for diagnosing MSA.

Area of Science:

  • Neuropathology
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases
  • Alpha-synucleinopathies

Background:

  • Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) diagnosis requires updated neuropathological criteria.
  • International experts convened to revise diagnostic standards for MSA.
  • Previous diagnostic criteria lacked consensus on key neuropathological markers.

Framework:

  • The MSA Workshop established a Working Group on Diagnostic Neuropathology Criteria.
  • Recommendations focus on identifying definitive neuropathological features.
  • The goal is to standardize and improve MSA diagnosis.

Implementation:

  • The Working Group identified glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) as a defining feature.
  • GCIs are composed of filamentous alpha-synuclein.
  • Widespread GCIs are recommended as a criterion for definite MSA neuropathological diagnosis.

Implications:

  • Standardized neuropathological criteria will enhance diagnostic accuracy for MSA.
  • This update facilitates earlier and more reliable identification of MSA.
  • Improved diagnosis supports future research into MSA pathogenesis and treatment.

More Related Videos

Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis09:41

Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Published on: July 19, 2019

Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans08:29

Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans

Published on: December 18, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:24

Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting movement, with additional non-motor features. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, and cellular dysfunction, including dopaminergic neuron loss, protein aggregation, and mitochondrial impairment.Selective NeurodegenerationA key feature is the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to reduced...