Shrinkage of the myenteric neurons of the small intestine in patients with multiple system atrophy

This study aimed to determine whether enteric neurons are involved in multiple system atrophy (MSA). Four-μm-thick slices of small intestine were prepared from 10%-formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded materials obtained from autopsied cases. Enteric neurons were stained using an anti-peripherin antibody. Immunostaining of phosphorylated α-synuclein was also performed. Areas of the cytoplasm and nucleus that showed nucleoli were measured using computer software. Both areas of myenteric neurons were significantly smaller in MSA cases (n = 3) than in control subjects (n = 3) (P 0.0001); however, no deposits of phosphorylated α-synuclein were observed. These findings suggest that myenteric neurons in MSA are affected independent of α-synuclein accumulation.