Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Pathology in Multiple System Atrophy.

Area of Science:

• Neuropathology
• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Brain Injury Research

Background:

• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is linked to repetitive head trauma.
• Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disorder that can involve falls and head trauma.
• The potential for CTE pathology in MSA patients is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of CTE pathology in individuals with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).
• To determine if MSA patients can develop CTE pathology, even without a history of contact sports or head trauma.

Main Methods:

• Examined 139 brain bank cases of MSA for CTE pathology using immunohistochemistry with an anti-phospho-tau antibody.
• Further stained sections of basal forebrain and hippocampus for suggestive cases.
• Differentiated CTE from aging-related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG) using consensus criteria.

Main Results:

• CTE pathology was identified in 8 (6%) of the 139 MSA cases.
• ARTAG pathology was found in 10 (8%) of the MSA cases.
• MSA cases with CTE pathology had a younger median age at death compared to those without CTE or with ARTAG.

Conclusions:

• A subset of Multiple System Atrophy cases exhibit Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy pathology.
• This finding suggests a potential neuropathological overlap between MSA and CTE.
• CTE pathology can be present in MSA cases irrespective of a documented history of head trauma or contact sports.