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Axonal degeneration in demyelinating disorders

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Journal of Neurocytology

Summary

Changes in the L7 and S1 segments of the spinal cord and the corresponding dorsal root ganglia (DRG), spinal roots and sciatic nerves of guinea pigs immunized with whole rabbit sciatic nerve in complete Freund's adjuvant have been studied and compared with the changes found in guinea pigs immunized with purified P.N.S. myelin. In both groups of animals, pathological changes were found in the posterior roots, DRG and root entry zones. In the posterior roots, axonal degeneration and segmental demyelination evolved in parallel, affected different populations of myelinated axons and showed no indication of interdependence. The aetiology of axonal degeneration in this and other demyelinating disorders is discussed. It is concluded that axons can be damaged by being in the vicinity of areas where cell-mediated immune reactions are taking place, i.e. as a consequence of the so-called ‘bystander’ effect.

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Author notes

  1. Henryk M. Wiśniewski

    Present address: Institute for Basic Research in Mental Retardation, 1050 Forest Hill Road, 10314, Staten Island, N.Y., USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. M.R.C. Demyelinating Diseases Unit, NE4 6BE, Newcastle upon Tyne, England

    Ricardo E. Madrid & Henryk M. Wiśniewski

Authors
  1. Ricardo E. Madrid
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  2. Henryk M. Wiśniewski
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Madrid, R.E., Wiśniewski, H.M. Axonal degeneration in demyelinating disorders. J Neurocytol 6, 103–117 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01175417

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01175417

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