Enhanced cognitive performance in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice treated with dimethyl fumarate after the appearance of disease symptoms

• Published in: Journal of neuroimmunology Vol. 340; p. 577163
• Main Authors: das Neves, Sofia P., Santos, Gisela, Barros, Catarina, Pereira, Diana Rodrigues, Ferreira, Ricardo, Mota, Cristina, Monteiro, Susana, Fernandes, Adelaide, Marques, Fernanda, Cerqueira, João José
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.03.2020
• Subjects: Autoimmunity; Cognition; Dimethyl fumarate; Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; Multiple sclerosis; Rodent; Autoimmunity; Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; Multiple sclerosis; Cognition; Rodent; Dimethyl fumarate
• ISSN: 0165-5728; 1872-8421
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2020.577163

In multiple sclerosis (MS), cognitive dysfunction is common but difficult to treat. We analyzed the impact of dimethyl fumarate, an MS drug with neuroprotective properties, in spatial memory performance in a mouse model of MS and looked for structural correlates in the hippocampus. Treated mice presented better cognitive performance which was not associated with structural hippocampal damage but with decreased demyelination in the fimbria. Dimethyl fumarate, even if initiated after hindlimb paralysis, ameliorated memory deficits in the MS mouse model due, at least in part, to its positive impact in the demyelination of the main hippocampal output pathway. [Display omitted] •DMF treatment was able to revert spatial memory deficits in EAE animals.•This was correlated with increased myelin content (decreased demyelination) of the fimbria.•Neither EAE induction or DMF altered hippocampal volumes, neuronal numbers or dendritic arborization.