Göttingen researchers hope for the fight against multiple sclerosis

The causes and mechanisms of multiple physical disabilities and disabilities in multiple sclerosis are still unknown. For this, basic research has until now lacked the appropriate imaging method. The researchers from Göttingen and Heidelberg now want to develop a new approach to microscopy. The goal is to reveal tiny damage to nerve cells and their spatial relationships in the brain for the first time in 3D and in the highest resolution.

Researchers also want to discover processes that damage neurons and their processes in MS. Funding for the Photonics program comes from the Federal Ministry of Research.

The new method combines the very high resolution of modern electron microscopy with the very high resolution optical microscopy developed by Professor Stefan Hell of Göttingen. Microscopy, Nobel laureate, serves as a navigational aid for the detection of diseased regions to allow targeted examination under the electron microscope.

"We have an urgent need for imaging that gives us insight into the lesser damage in the brain's gray matter, especially the cerebral cortex." Such damage to nerve cells and their nerve fibers and their connections disrupts the communication of the network of nerve cells, "says Professor Dr. med. Wolfgang Brück, director of the Institute of Neuropathology at the UMG

Close-up view of the tissue

In the diagnosis of sclerosis in plates, imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used to evaluate brain and spinal cord injury

However, nerve injury of the cerebral cortex is hardly detectable with radiological procedures They can only be visualized by the pathological examination of tissue samples, however, many nerve cell structures and their changes s in MS are too small for current microscopy. "To visualize the lesions of nerve cells in great detail, we combine the strengths of high-resolution STED fluorescence microscopy with modern 3D electron microscopy," says Dr. Gertrude Bunt

Another requirement for better understanding Mechanisms of the disease in MS is the vision of the third dimension. The spatial relationship of the smallest structural changes in the network of nerve cells must be examined in all three dimensions. "We are addressing this technical challenge with the use of new electron tomography imaging techniques," says Dr. med. Fred Wouters. "Our goal is to develop high-resolution 3D mapping of MS lesions in the cerebral cortex."

This is to show how damaged nerve cells have become, what immune cells play a role, and how the loss of contacts cell has on the nervous network. "

Multiple sclerosis: a severe autoimmune disease of the central nervous system

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that damages the insulating layer of nerve fibers, as well as nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord.SM is the most common cause of disability in young adults.In addition to known and intensely studied changes in the white matter of the brain, the gray matter, especially the cerebral cortex, presents pathological abnormalities.Nerve fiber damage and their connections disrupt the communication of the network of nerve cells.The importance of these lesions for the evolution of the disease was discovered a few years ago. years, so there is a clear link between these changes and the progression of disability.There are currently no targeted diagnostic methods or treatment options for r damage in the gray matter.

Hart & # 39; s Fate

Bernd Schlegel on Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is the most common chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. For those who are often affected by a spell. In many cases, nothing is more like before and restrictions and disabilities in everyday life are commonplace.

And the very bad news is: Many details about the insidious disease that can really make someone completely unprepared are still so far unlighted and explored. Therefore, the approach of Göttingen to combine a long established procedure and a new procedure to obtain a more accurate picture of the disease in the tissue is promising.

Of course, there is no guarantee of success. But the amount of support shows that hopes for promising results can not be unjustified. In addition, the approval of the research funds shows once again the great importance of research at the Göttingen University Medical Center.