Wobbly hedgehog syndrome- a progressive neurodegenerative disease

Abstract

Wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS) has been long considered to be a myelin disease primarily affecting the four-toed hedgehog. In this study, we have shown for the first time that demyelination is accompanied by extensive remyelination in WHS. However, remyelination is not enough to compensate for the axonal degeneration and neuronal loss, resulting in a progressive neurodegenerative disease reminiscent of progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in humans. Thus, understanding the pathological features of WHS may shed light on the disease progression in progressive MS and ultimately help to develop therapeutic strategies for both diseases.

Highlights: Wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease.Spongy degeneration of the brain and spinal cord is the diagnostic feature of WHS.WHS affected brain and spinal cord show extensive demyelination and remyelination.Axonal degeneration is accompanied by loss of neurons in WHS.