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Argyrophilic glial intracytoplasmic inclusions in multiple system atrophy: immunocytochemical and ultrastructural study.

Argyrophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions in oligodendrocytes (AGCIs) were seen in all of 15 cases of multiple system atrophy (MSA), and none in other neurodegenerative diseases, including 9 cases of Menzel-type olivopontocerebellar atrophy and 4 cases of Joseph's disease. The inclusions were widespread, not only in the olivopontocerebellar and striatonigral systems but also among fibers connecting their affecting lesions of MSA. Immunohistochemically, they were closely associated with tau, tubulins and microtubule-associated protein 5. Ultrastructurally, they consisted of 30- to 50-nm filaments (not tubules) and electron-dense granules, in varying proportions, and their formation is discussed. The specific occurrence of AGCIs could be a key to approach the pathogenesis of MSA.

Atrophy

Chromosome X-wide association study in multiple system atrophy identifies sex-differential risk loci.

The human X chromosome accounts for ∼5% of the genome. Despite its size, the role of X-chromosomal variants in human diseases is not well understood, mainly due to its distinct inheritance pattern and the frequent omission of sex chromosomes from genome-wide association studies. This study used whole-genome sequencing data from 888 multiple system atrophy (MSA) cases and 7128 controls to perform an X-chromosome-wide common variant association study. Our analyses revealed two sex-differential risk loci: one located at Xq28, associated with increased risk for MSA in females [index variant: rs4898389, odds ratio (OR) = 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.40-2.03, P-value = 2.43 × 10⁻⁸], and another at Xp22.2 within the TBL1X gene, identified in males (index variant: rs6638956, OR = 1.48, 95%CI = 1.26-1.73, P-value = 9.92 × 10⁻⁷). In the Xq28 locus, colocalization analyses pointed to FAM3A and PLXNA3 as genes of interest. These findings emphasize the vital role of sex-differential genetic factors in the pathogenesis of MSA.

Humans

Hypotension-induced vasopressin release distinguishes between pure autonomic failure and multiple system atrophy with autonomic failure.

To investigate whether activation of afferent and central baroreceptor pathways could differentiate between pure autonomic failure (PAF) and multiple system atrophy with autonomic failure (MSA), we determined the effect of upright tilt on circulating levels of vasopressin in patients with PAF and patients with MSA. We also studied 14 normal subjects, nine of whom developed acute hypotension due to vasovagal syncope. In patients with PAF and in normal subjects with vasovagal syncope, upright tilt induced marked hypotension and a pronounced increase in the plasma concentration of vasopressin (1.1 +/- 0.3 to 38.0 +/- 8.0 pmol/l in PAF and 1.0 +/- 0.2 to 27.4 +/- 7.2 pmol/l in vasovagal syncope, p less than 0.005 for both). In patients with MSA, upright tilt also elicited profound hypotension but circulating levels of vasopressin increased little (0.5 +/- 0.1 to 1.5 +/- 0.3 pmol/l, p less than 0.05). During upright tilt, the plasma concentration of norepinephrine significantly increased in normal subjects but did not increase in patients with autonomic failure. Our results indicate that afferent and central baroreceptor pathways involved in vasopressin release are normal in patients with PAF but are impaired in patients with MSA. Thus, measurement of baroreceptor-mediated vasopressin release appears to provide a clear marker to differentiate between patients with PAF and patients with MSA.

Adult

Antibody in the CSF of patients with multiple system atrophy reacts specifically with rat locus ceruleus.

Idiopathic chronic autonomic dysfunction may occur as pure autonomic failure (PAF) or in association with multiple system atrophy (MSA). CSF immunoreactivity to rat locus ceruleus occurred in a significantly greater number of samples from MSA patients compared to control subjects or patients with PAF. Other brain regions infrequently showed immunoreactivity. These findings suggest that degeneration in MSA may release antigen(s) that induce antibodies against locus ceruleus neurons. Further studies are required to determine whether immune abnormalities play a pathogenetic role in MSA. Lack of CSF immunoreactivity in PAF is consistent with primarily peripheral involvement.

Adult

Hemi-parkinsonism in multiple system atrophy: a PET and MRI study.

We selected 6 patients presenting with hemi-parkinsonism from a total of 20 patients with probable multiple system atrophy (MSA) and studied their nigrostriatal lesions using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-labeled 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG). T2 weighted MR images demonstrated a decreased signal intensity in the putamen of all patients. This decreased signal was more intense in the nucleus contralateral to the affected body side in 5 patients. A decreased signal in the substantia nigra was found, expanding more on the contralateral side in 3 patients. T1-weighted images showed that the contralateral putamen was smaller in size than the ipsilateral. These findings indicated that the iron deposit and the neuronal cell loss in the degenerative process were more remarkable in the contralateral nuclei. FDG uptake in 5 patients had likewise declined more in the contralateral than in the ipsilateral putamen. The study shows that these patients have the nigrostriatal lesions as described in previous reports on MSA and that an asymmetric lesion relating to clinical signs is present in the nigrostriatal system. When a patient presents with hemi-parkinsonism alone, MR imaging and PET/FDG are useful for the clinical diagnosis of MSA.

Adult

Asymmetrical FDG-PET and MRI findings of striatonigral system in multiple system atrophy with hemiparkinsonism.

The asymmetry of the local cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (lCMRglc) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was studied in five patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) presenting hemiparkinsonism. lCMRglc was measured with 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose and positron emission tomography (PET) in these patients and five normal control subjects. MR images were obtained in five patients and 11 control subjects. In all patients, T2-weighted MR images showed hypointense areas in the posterior lateral putamen. They were bigger or lower in intensity on the contralateral side than on the ipsilateral side. Significant glucose hypometabolism was found in the posterior putamen on the contralateral side to hemiparkinsonism. A significant decrease in size was found in the contralateral putamen, caudate nucleus, and pars compacta of the substantia nigra. However, no significant correlation was seen between PET and MRI data. In the control subjects, no apparent asymmetry was observed. PET and MR imaging demonstrated the characteristic asymmetry corresponding to the pathological findings reported in MSA.

Brain

Somatic motor efferents in multiple system atrophy with autonomic failure: a clinico-pathological study.

The myelinated fibers in the corticospinal tracts, ventral spinal roots, and the neurons in the ventral spinal horns were quantitatively examined in 8 autopsied cases of multiple system atrophy associated with autonomic failure. In these structures consisting of the somatic motor efferents, the main pathological feature was the size dependent-involvement of predominantly small-sized fibers and neurons. The small myelinated fibers were significantly depopulated, while the large myelinated fibers were well populated in the corticospinal tract. Neurons in the ventral horns were also involved, but those with a small diameter and located in the intermediate zone (Rexed's lamina VII, VIII) were markedly diminished. In the ventral spinal roots, in the fourth lumbar segments containing essentially no autonomic efferents, small myelinated fibers were also preferentially involved. These pathological changes in the small-sized fiber and neuron loss were examined in relation to the somatic and autonomic motor symptoms, particularly of pyramidal signs.

Aged

Immunohistochemical quantification of substance P in spinal dorsal horns of patients with multiple system atrophy.

Using a computer-assisted image analyser, an immunohistochemical quantification method of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) in laminae I + II of spinal dorsal horn was established and applied to 13 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) with no disturbance of pain sensation, including olivo-ponto-cerebellar atrophy and striatonigral degeneration, and 13 neurologically normal controls. To investigate whether alteration of SPLI is related to an autonomic disorder, myelinated fibre counts of the fourth thoracic ventral roots were performed. Eleven of 13 MSA patients showed a significant decrease in small and large myelinated fibres, and were diagnosed with definite Shy-Drager syndrome (SDS), with the exception of two who had no apparent history of autonomic dysfunction. SPLIs in laminae I + II in 10 of these 11 patients, when adjusted for age, were significantly decreased at both levels of the fourth thoracic and third lumbar spinal segments. The results suggest the disorder of SP-containing synapses of primary afferent neurons and/or those of interneurons in SDS.

Adult

Immunohistochemical expression of microtubule-associated protein 5 (MAP5) in glial cells in multiple system atrophy.

An immunohistochemical study focusing on glial cells was performed using monoclonal antibodies against microtubule-associated proteins (MAP1, MAP2 and MAP5), transferrin, leukocyte common antigen (LCA) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in 5 cases of multiple system atrophy (MSA) exhibiting olivopontocerebellar atrophy and striatonigral degeneration. An antibody to MAP5, a fetal antigen in developing brain, was strongly demonstrated in the glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) which have recently drawn a great deal of attention and were observed in all 5 cases of MSA. Moreover, MAP5-positive glial cells (MAP5-Gs) were present in significantly higher number than in the controls in various regions where GCIs were found, predominantly in putamen, substantia nigra, cerebellar white matter and internal capsule. LCA and transferrin, markers of microglia and oligodendroglia, respectively, were immunohistochemically detected in some MAP5-Gs. GFAP, on the other hand, was not expressed in MAP5-Gs at all. These findings suggest that MAP5-Gs consist of reactive microglia and oligodendroglia. Our study is the first to demonstrate immunohistochemical detection of MAP5 in glial pathological changes in MSA.

Aged

Cerebellar syndrome in myxoedema revisited: a published case with carcinomatosis and multiple system atrophy at necropsy.

One of six patients in a 1960 paper on "Cerebellar syndrome in myxoedema" was subsequently found to have adenocarcinoma. General post-mortem revealed carcinomatosis and basal pneumonia. Neuropathological examination revealed the changes of multiple system atrophy. The relationship between hypothyroidism, carcinoma, and cerebellar, pontine and striatonigral degeneration is discussed.

Adenocarcinoma

Phosphorylated high molecular weight neurofilament protein in the peripheral motor, sensory and sympathetic neuronal perikarya: system-dependent normal variations and changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple system atrophy.

Using monoclonal antibody (Ta-51) that specifically binds phosphorylated high molecular weight neurofilament (pNFH) proteins, we investigated the occurrence of perikaryal pNFH in the spinal ventral horn motoneurons, intermediolateral column (ILC) neurons, sympathetic ganglion neurons and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons obtained from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) and from control cases. In the controls, a system-dependent variation in perikaryal Ta-51 immunoreactivity was observed. Very few ventral horn cells and ILC neurons were stained with Ta-51, while large population of DRG neurons and sympathetic neurons were Ta-51 positive. The incidence of perikaryal immunoreactivity in the ventral horn cells was significantly increased in ALS and MSA. Some ILC neurons in ALS were Ta-51 positive and their incidence was significantly higher than that of the controls. These data suggest that both ILC neurons and ventral horn cells are affected with respect to pNFH metabolism in ALS and MSA. No significant difference was, however, detected in the Ta-51 immunoreactivity of both DRG and sympathetic ganglion neurons in ALS and MSA as compared with the controls.

Adult

Correlation of cardiovascular autonomic function tests, magnetic resonance brain imaging and clinical features in suspect cases of multiple system atrophy.

Nine patients presenting with parkinsonian features and no other clinical abnormalities were studied. These patients were evaluated for dopaminergic responsiveness, for cardiovascular reflex autonomic function, and underwent high field magnetic resonance scan. A 0 to 5 point probability score was used to evaluate the possibility that parkinsonian signs were the presenting symptoms of multiple system atrophy (MSA). Five patients were considered at risk for having MSA: three of them were classified as possible MSA cases (score 2-3), two of them were classified as probable cases of MSA (score 4-5). In patients at risk for MSA, no specific pattern of combination of clinical and laboratory data was found; all patients had different combinations of positive findings.

Adult

Multiple system atrophy with autonomic failure: clinical, histological and neurochemical observations on four cases.

Four cases of progressive autonomic failure are described, in all of which there were additional non-autonomic neurological abnormalities, including pyramidal, extra-pyramidal and cerebellar features. Histological examination revealed cell degeneration in the substantia nigra, putamen and intermediolateral columns of the spinal cord as a common pathological finding. In addition, 3 cases showed loss of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum and degeneration of pontine nuclei and inferior olivary nuclei. In one case there was cell loss from the locus coeruleus, caudate nucleus, vestibular nuclei and dorsal vagal nuclei. These were, therefore, cases of multiple system atrophy. Neurochemically, a common feature was a profound depletion in dopamine and noradrenaline from brain regions which are normally rich in these catecholamines. Central cholinergic systems appeared to be involved also, but to a variable degree.

Aged

Cerebrospinal fluid norepinephrine, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol and neuropeptide Y levels in Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy and dementia of the Alzheimer type.

Neuropeptide Y, one of the most abundant polypeptides within the nervous system, is co-stored with catecholamines, especially norepinephrine (NE), thus suggesting its possible involvement in pathologies characterized by a noradrenergic impairment. In Parkinson's disease (PD), as well as in multiple system atrophy (MSA), a central noradrenergic deficit has been demonstrated, and in the dementia of Alzheimer type (DAT) an impaired noradrenergic transmission has been postulated. In this study we determined CSF NE and MHPG levels in 29 PD, 15 MSA, 22 DAT patients and in 36 controls, while CSF NPY-immunoreactivity (NPY-ir) levels were measured in 10 PD, 7 MSA, 10 DAT patients and 20 controls. PD, MSA, and DAT patients showed a significant reduction in CSF NPY-ir and NE levels compared with controls, while CSF MHPG levels resulted in a reduction in only the MSA group. Furthermore, an inverse correlation between either NE or MHPG levels and the duration of the orthostatic hypotension was found in MSA patients while for DAT patients the MHPG levels were directly correlated to the severity of cognitive impairment, and inversely to the duration of illness.

Adult

Argentophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions in multiple system atrophy.

Argentophilic intracytoplasmic glial inclusions were recently reported in olivo-ponto-cerebellar atrophy (OPCA). We examined the brains of 3 cases of OPCA [2 with striato-nigral degeneration (SND) and 1 without SND], 1 case of pure autonomic failure (PAF) without pathology of OPCA or SND, as well as 36 controls including 2 cases of Holmes' type cerebellar cortical atrophy and 2 cases of Joseph's disease. Although the inclusions were tubulin-positive, the immunoreactivity was different from that of the dendrites. Electron microscopically, the microtubular structures composing the inclusion were fuzzy with granular material. These findings may indicate that the microtubules composing the inclusions are modified. Inclusion-bearing cells appeared to be oligodendrocytes while many of them had larger and lighter nuclei than those of normal-looking oligodendrocytes without the inclusions. The inclusions were widely distributed in a characteristic fashion beyond the typical lesions of OPCA, SND and PAF. The distribution pattern was essentially the same in the case of PAF and 3 cases of OPCA irrespective of the presence or absence of OPCA or SND lesions. In contrast, argentophilic inclusions were not observed in other types of spinocerebellar degeneration, in Holmes' type cerebellar cortical atrophy or in Joseph's disease. It is suggested, in line with other studies, that the inclusion may be specific to OPCA and related disorders which include PAF and a useful marker to distinguish OPCA from other neurodegenerative diseases.

Adult

[Multiple system atrophy with macro square wave jerks and pendular nystagmus].

A 51-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of gait disturbance and dysuria. Neurological examination revealed limb and truncal ataxia, orthostatic hypotension, cogwheel rigidity in all limbs, generalized hyperreflexia without pathological reflex, and horizontal gaze nystagmus. She became progressively worse and bedridden at age 52. Then she developed abnormal eye movements. Electrooculogram revealed vertical, horizontal or oblique macro square wave jerks and pendular nystagmus. Macro square wave jerks appeared during fixation and disappeared with eye closure or in the dark room. Macro square wave jerks were characterized by a duration of about 200 msec and an amplitude of 10 to 15 degrees. Pendular nystagmus with a duration of several seconds and amplitude of 5 to 15 degrees appeared when she changed her fixation or the point of fixation disappeared. Macro square wave jerks and pendular nystagmus were mildly suppressed after the intramuscular injection of 100 mg of phenobarbital, the oral intake of sodium valproate of 600 mg/day or baclofen of 60 mg/day. They were almost completely depressed after the intravenous injection of 3 mg of diazepam or the oral intake of clonazepam of 1.5 mg/day. We suggested that both macro square wave jerks and pendular nystagmus in this patient might be caused by the dysfunction of GABAergic system in the saccadic eye movement system.

Atrophy