title: Sporadic diffuse leucoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids: report of a profuse and rapid cortical-spinal degeneration.
abstract: Diffuse leucoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids (DLS) is a rare disease affecting the white matter leading to dementia and progressive motor impairment. The neuropathological hallmark includes axonal swelling and spheroids as well as myelin loss. We report a case of a 46-year-old man with memory deficit and behavioral changes followed by a rapid cognitive decline and pyramidal syndrome. Head magnetic resonance imaging showed cortical atrophy of the brain and symmetric corticospinal tract involvement. He died 4 years after the first symptoms. Autopsy was performed and the brain revealed cortical and corpus callosum atrophy, a grayish granular appearance of the white matter and ventricular enlargement. Myelin stains showed a significant demyelination of the centrum ovale and corticospinal tract. Such degeneration was accompanied by axonal loss, axonal swelling, and numerous spheroids. There was no pigment overload or inflammation. We discuss this new DLS case with bilateral, severe, and rapid cortical-spinal involvement.
authors: Service d'Anatomie Pathologique et Neuropathologie du Pr Figarella-Branger, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire La Timone, 264 Rue Saint Pierre, 13005, Marseille Cedex 05, France. Andre.MauesDePaula@ap-hm.fr
authors: A Maues
authors: AM
authors: De Paula
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Michel
authors: D W
authors: DW
authors: Dickson
authors: Z K
authors: ZK
authors: Wszolek
authors: J F
authors: JF
authors: Pellissier
mesh_terms: D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000378:metabolism; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D056784:Leukoencephalopathies / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000378:metabolism; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein; D016875:tau Proteins