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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
Pilot Ultrastructural Observations of Trauma-Associated Myelin Alterations in Human Autopsy Brain Tissue Following
Trinh Xuan Ha1,2, Luu Sy Hung1, Nguyen Duc Nhu3
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi,10000, Vietnam.
Objective:
To describe trauma-associated ultrastructural myelin alterations in human autopsy brain tissue following fatal road traffic injury using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Methods:
Brain tissue from five fatal road traffic accident cases was examined using TEM. Frontal white matter and optic nerve samples were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using Fiji software.
Results:
All cases demonstrated myelin sheath abnormalities, including lamellar delamination, irregular organization, concentric whorling, widened inter-lamellar spacing, mitochondrial swelling, and cytoskeletal disruption. Delaminated myelin layers ranged from 3-9 layers, while inter-lamellar distances ranged from 12-50 nm. Similar abnormalities were observed in frontal white matter and optic nerve tissue.
Conclusion:
This pilot autopsy-based TEM study demonstrated preliminary trauma-associated myelin abnormalities that may support future investigations of trauma-associated myelin and axonal alterations.
Insights
Fatal road traffic injuries cause myelin sheath abnormalities in the brain. This transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study observed significant ultrastructural changes in myelin following trauma.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuropathology
- Histology
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to secondary damage.
- Myelin sheath damage is a critical component of TBI pathology.
- Understanding ultrastructural changes is crucial for TBI research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate trauma-associated ultrastructural myelin alterations in human autopsy brain tissue.
- To utilize transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for detailed analysis.
- To examine white matter and optic nerve samples from fatal road traffic injury cases.
Main Methods:
- Human autopsy brain tissue from five fatal road traffic accident cases was analyzed.
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed for ultrastructural examination.
- Frontal white matter and optic nerve samples were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using Fiji software.
Main Results:
- All cases exhibited myelin sheath abnormalities, including lamellar delamination, irregular organization, and concentric whorling.
- Widened inter-lamellar spacing (12-50 nm) and 3-9 layers of delamination were observed.
- Mitochondrial swelling and cytoskeletal disruption were also noted in the affected tissues.
Conclusions:
- This pilot study provides preliminary evidence of trauma-associated myelin abnormalities.
- The observed ultrastructural changes in myelin may contribute to neurological deficits after injury.
- Further research is warranted to explore myelin and axonal alterations following trauma.
