Remyelination after transient experimental compression of the spinal cord

Abstract

Abstract The lesion produced in the cat by experimental transient spinal cord compression was examined by electron microscopy. Compression sufficient to produce reversible paraparesis is associated with a predominantly demyelinating lesion; more severe compression produces an increased amount of wallerian degeneration. Remyelination by oligodendrocytes commences in the third week. Complete myelin segments with many normal ultrastructural features are formed. The thickness of the new myelin increases with time but has still not reached adult values after 18 months. Schwann cells of peripheral origin remyelinate some central axons in the more severe lesions.