Wolfgang Brück talks
with ScienceWatch.com and answers a few questions
about this month's Emerging Research Front Paper in the
field of Neuroscience & Behavior.
Article: Acute axonal damage in multiple sclerosis
is most extensive in early disease stages and decreases
over time
Authors: Kuhlmann, T;Lingfeld, G;Bitsch, A;Schuchardt,
J;Bruck,
W
Journal: BRAIN, 125: 2202-2212 Part 10 OCT 2002
Addresses: Univ Gottingen, Inst Neuropathol, Robert Koch
Str 40, D-37075 Gottingen, Germany.
Humboldt Univ, Dept Neuropathol, Charite, Berlin,
Germany.
Ruppiner Kliniken GmbH, Dept Neurol, Neuruppin, Germany.
Why do you think your paper is highly
cited?
It shows that axonal damage occurs very early in MS. This paper forms the
pathological basis for early treatment in MS. In recent years, it has
become more evident that axonal damage is the major morphological substrate
of permanent clinical disability.
Would you summarize the significance of your paper in
layman's terms?
Multiple sclerosis is characterized morphologically by the key features of
demyelination, inflammation, gliosis, and axonal damage. In our study, we
investigated the occurrence of acute axonal damage determined by
immunocytochemistry for amyloid precursor protein (APP) which is produced
in neurones and accumulates at sites of recent axon transection or damage.
The paper shows that, early in MS, neurodegenerative processes begin. Our
results indicate that a putative axon-protective treatment should start as
early as possible and include strategies preventing
T-cell/macrophage-mediated axon destruction and leading to remyelination of
axons.
How did you become involved in this research and were
any particular problems encountered along the way?
I am interested in the pathology and immunopathology of MS.
Where do you see your research leading in the
future?
Toward a clarification of the mechanisms of lesion evolution in MS.
Do you foresee any social or political implications for
your research?
Yes, toward a more individualized patient therapy for MS.
Prof. Dr. med. Wolfgang Brück
Institut für Neuropathologie
Universitätsmedizin der Georg-August-Universität
Göttingen
Göttingen, Germany