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Updated: May 20, 2025
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
Neuropathological Evidence of Reduced Amyloid Beta and Neurofibrillary Tangles in Multiple Sclerosis Cortex
J Pansieri1, M Pisa1, S Yee1
1Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Abstract:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's disease are neurodegenerative diseases with age-related disability accumulation. In MS, inflammation spans decades, whereas AD is characterized by Aβ plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT). Few studies explore accumulation of amyloids in MS. We examined Aβ deposition and NFT density in temporal and frontal cortices from postmortem MS (n = 75) and control (n = 66) cases. Compared with controls, MS cases showed reduced Aβ, especially in those aged <65 years, and reduced NFT, notably in cases aged >65 years. Aβ deposition predicted greater NFT density both in MS cases and controls. MS-related factors may affect Aβ/NFT deposition and/or clearance, offering new therapeutic insights for both diseases. ANN NEUROL 2025;97:1067-1073.
Insights
Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) share neurodegenerative pathways. This study found reduced amyloid-beta (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in MS brains, suggesting altered protein accumulation in MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuropathology
- Neurodegenerative Diseases
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are progressive neurodegenerative disorders characterized by age-related disability.
- MS involves chronic inflammation, while AD is marked by amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT).
- The interplay of amyloid pathology in MS remains under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the deposition patterns of Aβ and NFT in postmortem brain tissue from individuals with and without MS.
- To explore potential correlations between MS-related factors and the accumulation of AD-associated pathologies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of temporal and frontal cortical tissues from 75 MS cases and 66 control cases.
- Quantification of Aβ deposition and NFT density using neuropathological examination.
- Statistical comparison of Aβ and NFT levels between MS and control groups, stratified by age.
Main Results:
- MS cases exhibited significantly reduced Aβ deposition compared to controls, particularly in individuals under 65 years.
- NFT density was also lower in MS cases, especially in those over 65 years.
- Aβ deposition was found to predict higher NFT density in both MS and control cohorts.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that MS may be associated with altered Aβ and NFT accumulation, potentially influenced by MS-specific factors.
- These insights could inform novel therapeutic strategies targeting shared pathways in MS and AD.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms driving these observed pathological differences.
