Spinal cord
From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history
The Spinal cord has 3 layers of protection aka meninges: Dura mater = the tough (durable) outer layer. Arachnoid mater = called this because it has spider-web/leggy appearance. Pia mater (soft mother) is a very delicate layer that attaches to the spinal cord and follows the contours of the cord or brain.
There’s also 3 spaces: Subarachnoid: deep to the arachnoid mater that contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Subdural: a potential space below the dura mater. Epidural: Fat.[1]
Spinal cord and ME
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis - Myel: Relating to the spinal cord. Itis: Inflammation[2][3]
ME patient autopsies have shown changes to the spinal cord
- Sophia Mirza's autopsy showed her spine contained massive infection. (Note: Sophia's Death Notice has her death due to CFS)
- Lynn Gilderdale had ganglionitis which is an inflammation of dorsal root ganglia of her spine, typical for a neurological illness.
