Dying-back oligodendrogliopathy: a late sequel of myelin-associated glycoprotein deficiency.

Ultrastructural analysis of myelin from 8-month-old mice deficient in the myelin-associated glycoprotein revealed pronounced and characteristic alterations of the periaxonal oligodendrocyte processes, consisting of intracytoplasmic deposition of vesicular material, multivesicular bodies, mitochondria, and lipofuscin granules, as well as granular or paracrystalline inclusions. These alterations are similar to those described before as "dying-back oligodendrogliopathy" in diseases of toxic or immune-mediated demyelination including multiple sclerosis.