Thalamic neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis

TLDR

Multiple sclerosis is primarily a white‑matter disease, but recent evidence indicates significant gray‑matter involvement. We used in‑vivo MRI/MRS and postmortem histopathology to estimate thalamic neuronal loss in MS patients. Neuronal loss in the thalamus is substantial, with a 30–35 % reduction, indicating that neurodegeneration contributes significantly to MS symptoms.

Abstract

Abstract Multiple sclerosis is still regarded primarily as a disease of the white matter. However, recent evidence suggests that there may be significant involvement of gray matter. Here, we have used magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy in vivo and histopathology postmortem to estimate thalamic neuronal loss in patients with multiple sclerosis. Our results show that neuronal loss in multiple sclerosis can be substantial (30–35% reduction). We conclude that a neurodegenerative pathology may make a major contribution to the genesis of symptoms in multiple sclerosis.