title: The origins of concentric demyelination: self-organization in the human brain.
abstract: Baló's concentric sclerosis is a rare atypical form of multiple sclerosis characterized by striking concentric demyelination patterns. We propose a robust mathematical model for Baló's sclerosis, sharing common molecular and cellular mechanisms with multiple sclerosis. A reconsideration of the analogies between Baló's sclerosis and the Liesegang periodic precipitation phenomenon led us to propose a chemotactic cellular model for this disease. Rings of demyelination appear as a result of self-organization processes, and closely mimic Baló lesions. According to our results, homogeneous and concentric demyelinations may be two different macroscopic outcomes of a single fundamental immune disorder. Furthermore, in chemotactic models, cellular aggressivity appears to play a central role in pattern formation.
authors.affiliation: Service de Chirurgie Maxillofaciale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France. hossein.khonsari@ens.fr
authors.forename: Roman H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Khonsari
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Calvez
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000502:physiology; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002549:Diffuse Cerebral Sclerosis of Schilder / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical