Ultrastructural characterization of mitochondrial damage in experimental autoimmune neuritis.

Data are sparse about mitochondrial damage in GBS and in its most frequently employed animal model, experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN). We here characterized changes in mitochondrial content and morphology at different time points during EAN by use of ultrastructural imaging and immunofluorescent labelling. Histological examination revealed that demyelinated axons and their adjacent Schwann cells showed reduced mitochondrial content and remaining mitochondria appeared swollen with greater diameter in Schwann cells and unmyelinated axons.

ROCK inhibition improves axonal regeneration in a preclinical model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Alteration of the RhoA/ROCK (Rho kinase) pathway has been shown to be neuroprotective in SOD1 mice, the most commonly used animal model of ALS. Since previous studies indicate that, apart from neuroprotection, ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 can also accelerate regeneration of motor axons, we here assessed the regenerative capability of axons in SOD1 mice with and without treatment with Y-27632. Regeneration of axons was examined after sciatic nerve crush in pre- and symptomatic SOD1 mice.