The neuropathology of "typical" Friedreich's ataxia in Quebec

Can J Neurol Sci. 1984 Nov;11(4 Suppl):592-600. doi: 10.1017/s0317167100035113.

Abstract

We present the pathological data from the autopsies performed on 6 Friedreich's disease patients since the start of the Quebec Cooperative Study. All patients met the strict diagnostic criteria of the QCSFA. The anatomical lesions found in the peripheral and central nervous system were similar in all 6 cases and do not differ from those described in the literature. The clinical findings correlate closely with the histological lesions found in the peripheral nervous system and spinal cord. The evidence of segmental demyelination and remyelination in the spinal ganglia and posterior roots further supports the dying-back axonopathy hypothesis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Brain Stem / pathology
  • Cerebellum / pathology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Friedreich Ataxia / genetics
  • Friedreich Ataxia / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nervous System / pathology*
  • Pedigree
  • Peripheral Nerves / pathology
  • Spinal Cord / pathology