Multiple sclerosis findings in the spinal cord

Abstract

The spinal cord is commonly affected by acute demyelinating lesions, chronic tissue loss and atrophy in multiple sclerosis, and is a clinically eloquent site. Historically, however, more attention has been focussed on the analysis and contribution of brain lesions. In this review, we discuss some of the key findings from MRI analysis and histopathological examination of the spinal cord, and how they relate to the clinical characteristics of this common and disabling disease.

Keywords::

• atrophy
• demyelination
• MRI
• multiple sclerosis
• spinal cord

Acknowledgments

Work presented here has been supported by The University of Nottingham, The Droitwich Medical Trust, The MS Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and an unrestricted grant from TEVA pharmaceuticals.

Financial disclosure

LJ Edwards has received research support and travel support for scientific meetings from TEVA Neuroscience and Biogen Idec. CP Gilmore, N Evangelou and CS Constantinescu have received research support, travel support for scientific meetings or honoraria from Biogen Idec, Serono, Schering and Teva Neuroscience.