Abstract for presentation at The Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists Annual Scientific Meeting 2007

Remyelination is Extensive in a Subset of Multiple Sclerosis Patients

  • Dr Peter Patrikios, Centre for Brain Research, Austria
  • Dr Christine Stadelmann, University of Goettingen, Germany
  • Dr Alexandra Kutzelnigg, Centre for Brain Research, Austria
  • Prof Henning Laursen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
  • Prof Per Soelberg Sorensen, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Prof Wolfgang Brueck, University of Goettingen, Germany
  • Prof Claudia Lucchinetti, Mayo Clinic, United States
  • Prof Hans Lassmann, Centre for Brain Research, Austria

    • Although spontaneous remyelination does occur in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions, its extent within the global MS population is presently unknown. We have systematically analyzed the incidence and distribution of completely remyelinated MS lesions (so-called shadow plaques) or partially remyelinated lesions (shadow plaque areas) in 51 autopsies of MS patients with different clinical courses and disease durations. The extent of remyelination was variable between cases. In 20% of the cases, the extent of remyelination was extensive with 60 to 96% of the global lesion area remyelinated. Extensive remyelination was found not only in patients with relapsing MS, but interestingly also in a subset of patients with primary and secondary progressive disease. Older age at death and longer disease duration were associated with significantly more remyelination which contradicts previous research findings. No correlation was found between the extent of remyelination and either gender or age at disease onset. These results suggest that the remyelination capacity in MS lesions is highly variable and patient-dependent. This must be considered in the design of future clinical trials aimed to promote CNS repair, such as in stem cell therapy.

    Conference Organiser - ICMS Pty Ltd