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Biomedical subjects

J Colover

Publications and source records attributed to J Colover.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A new pattern of spinal-cord demyelination in guinea pigs with acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis mimicking multiple sclerosis.

A technique is described for producing large demyelinating lesions of the spinal cord in the guinea pig. Guinea pigs were pretreated by immunization with ovalbumin and water-soluble adjuvant (N-acetyl-muramyl L-alanyl D-isoglutamine, MDP) in water-in-oil emulsion (Freund's incomplete adjuvant). They were given a large dose (10 mg) of ovalbumin i.p. one month later. After a few weeks the animals were sensitized with guinea-pig basic protein in Freund's complete adjuvant. Five out of 11 animals developed large, distinctive, sharply demarcated, symmetrical demyelinating lesions within 30 days. These lesions occurred in the dorsal and anterior columns, root entry zones and subpial region of the spinal cord. Histology showed a considerable amount of free lipids. There were also infiltrative lesions of classical experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) of normal severity in the same animals. The demyelinating lesions resembled those seen in multiple sclerosis in their location and extent in the spinal cord and in the presence of free lipids. Control experiments indicated that pretreatment with ovalbumin/MDP and the second injection of ovalbumin was necessary for all the demyelination; moreover guinea pigs immunized with basic protein in Freund's complete adjuvant or Freund's incomplete adjuvant plus MDP without pretreatment only developed classical EAE with minimal or no demyelination.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Posterior fossa tumors with pathological laughter.

Of two patients with posterior fossa tumor and pathological laughter, one had extrinsic compression of the brain stem; the other had an intrinsic brain-stem lesion. Surgical removal of the epidermoid from the cerebellopontine angle cured the laughter. The euphoria of multiple sclerosis with paroxysmal laughter and a feeling of joy is to be differentiated from cases in which pathological laughter is a presenting complaint.

Adult↗

Neurological abnormalities in the 'cri-du-chat' syndrome.

An unusual case of the cri-du-chat syndrome is described in a 6½ year old boy, who, as well as attacks of stridor and choking, showed disorders of spatial perception and cerebellar signs in the form of nystagmus, clumsiness of the hands, and ataxia. Pyramidal signs were also present. He was only mildly retarded mentally. Psychological testing showed that he had a severe deficit for number processing, and also constructional apraxia. Surprisingly, his vocabulary was quite good, as was his reading capacity. Chromosome analysis showed a very small deletion of the short arm of the group B chromosome. In infancy this diagnosis may be suspected because of the high-pitched cry and attacks of stridor and choking. In late childhood, when the signs may be only of a neurological disorder, its recognition may be difficult without confirmation from chromosome studies. The neurological features of this disease are reviewed.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins↗

Enhancement of demyelination in the central nervous system of Semliki Forest virus infected mice after pretreatment with muramyl dipeptide.

Semliki Forest virus infections in mice produce an encephalitis with demyelination. If before giving the virus the mice are treated with muramyl dipeptide in Freund's incomplete adjuvant, there is a significant increase in demyelination. If ovalbumin is added to the above and then followed after an interval by a second dose of ovalbumin and finally by the virus, the demyelination is further, but only marginally increased. The addition of ovalbumin without muramyl dipeptide in the schedule appears to increase the number of infiltrating cells and to a lesser extent the perivascular cuffing, but does not increase the demyelination as compared to that obtained when Semliki Forest virus is given on its own.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗