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ARTICLES: N. M. Moll, A. M. Rietsch, A. J. Ransohoff, M. B. Cossoy, D. Huang, F. S. Eichler, B. D. Trapp, and R. M. Ransohoff Cortical demyelination in PML and MS: Similarities and differences Neurology 2008; 70: 336-343 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Cortical demyelination in PML and MS: Similarities and differences

Heikki Savolainen   (8 May 2008)

Cortical demyelination in PML and MS: Similarities and differences 8 May 2008
Heikki Savolainen, Prof. Dept. of Occup. Safety & Hlth., POB 536, FIN-33101 Tampere, Finland Send Correspondence to journal: Re: Cortical demyelination in PML and MS: Similarities and differences heikki.savolainen{at}stm.fi Heikki Savolainen	The comparative investigation on the demyelination in brain of MS and PML patients [1] is interesting and has yielded comparable results to earlier studies on MS [2], subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) [3] and postvaccinal leucoencephalitis. [4] The biochemical mechanisms seem to vary. While the basic protein in myelin isolated from the normal-looking white matter is lost to a variable degree, it might be that in SSPE the destruction of myelin may yield more global changes in its protein composition. [4] Focal central demyelination is also a hallmark of neurological complications in carbon monoxide poisoning. [5] It seems that in this specific case the cause is the increased intracellular proteolysis in myelin supporting glia while in the demyelination in disease cases above may be due to the proteases from inflammatory cells. References 1. Moll NM, Rietsch AA, Ransohoff AJ, et al. Cortical demyelination in PML and MS: Similarities and differences. Neurology 2008;70:336-343. 2. Riekkinen PJ, Palo J, Arstila AU, et al. Protein composition of multiple sclerosis myelin. Arch Neurol (Chic) 1971;24:545-549. 3. Riekkinen P, Palo J, Arstila A, et al. Protein composition of white matter myelin in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. J Neurol Sci 1971;14:15-20. 4. Riekkinen P, Rinne UK, Savolainen H, et al. Studies on the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Basic protein in the myelin and white matter of multiple sclerosis, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and postvaccinal leucoencephalitis. Europ Neurol 1971;5:229-244. 5. Savolainen H, Elovaara E. Effect of carbon monoxide on protein metabolism in mouse brain. Exp Neurol 1977;57:374-378. The author of the article was offered the opportunity to respond but declined. Disclosure: The author reports no disclosures.