Recent developments in multiple sclerosis neuropathology

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pathology
• Genomics

Background:

• Human brain neuropathology is crucial for understanding multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis.
• Studies inform lesion evolution, tissue regeneration, and disease progression, aiming to uncover new mechanisms and therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent neuropathological studies that have advanced the understanding of MS pathogenesis.
• To highlight how these studies inform disease mechanisms, progression, and potential therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent neuropathological studies in human brain tissue.
• Analysis of cohort studies examining clinical and pathological features of MS.
• Application of emerging spatial transcriptome analysis technologies.

Main Results:

• Clinical MS phenotypes share underlying pathological features, with heterogeneity arising from inflammation, demyelination, and neuroaxonal loss.
• Spatial transcriptome analysis provides insights into cellular composition and molecular mechanisms of lesion evolution.
• Identification of molecular hubs governing tissue damage and regeneration.

Conclusions:

• Recent neuropathology studies identified tissue correlates of disability and disease progression in MS.
• Molecular analysis of brain tissue has revealed the complexity of MS-related features.
• Collaboration among experts is essential to advance MS research, especially for progressive forms.