Synapse Dysfunctions in Multiple Sclerosis

Overview

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Chemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2023 Jan 21

PMID 36675155

Authors

Karin Schwarz

Frank Schmitz

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuroinflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) affecting nearly three million humans worldwide. In MS, cells of an auto-reactive immune system invade the brain and cause neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation triggers a complex, multi-faceted harmful process not only in the white matter but also in the grey matter of the brain. In the grey matter, neuroinflammation causes synapse dysfunctions. Synapse dysfunctions in MS occur early and independent from white matter demyelination and are likely correlates of cognitive and mental symptoms in MS. Disturbed synapse/glia interactions and elevated neuroinflammatory signals play a central role. Glutamatergic excitotoxic synapse damage emerges as a major mechanism. We review synapse/glia communication under normal conditions and summarize how this communication becomes malfunctional during neuroinflammation in MS. We discuss mechanisms of how disturbed glia/synapse communication can lead to synapse dysfunctions, signaling dysbalance, and neurodegeneration in MS.

Citing Articles

Early Synapse-Specific Alterations of Photoreceptor Mitochondria in the EAE Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis.

Ibrahim D, Schwarz K, Suiwal S, Maragkou S, Schmitz F Cells. 2025; 14(3).

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El Samad A, Jaffal J, Ibrahim D, Schwarz K, Schmitz F Biomedicines. 2024; 12(11).

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Presynaptic Release-Regulating Sphingosine 1-Phosphate 1/3 Receptors in Cortical Glutamatergic Terminals: Adaptations in EAE Mice and Impact of Therapeutic FTY720.

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