Axon damage is associated with permanent neurological deficits in the inflammatory disease, multiple sclerosis (MS). In this thesis, in vivo imaging complemented with in vivo application of vital dyes were used to observe axons in mouse models of MS. I helped describe a novel process entitled focal axonal degeneration whereby axons form focal swellings which then progress to fragment. In addition, I directly evaluated organelle transport and microtubule dynamics in spinal axons and described a widespread and persistent transport deficit as an early stage of axon dysfunction.
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Axon damage is associated with permanent neurological deficits in the inflammatory disease, multiple sclerosis (MS). In this thesis, in vivo imaging complemented with in vivo application of vital dyes were used to observe axons in mouse models of MS. I helped describe a novel process entitled focal axonal degeneration whereby axons form focal swellings which then progress to fragment. In addition, I directly evaluated organelle transport and microtubule dynamics in spinal axons and described a...
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