Copper/zinc chelation by clioquinol reduces spinal cord white matter damage and behavioral deficits in a murine MOG-induced multiple sclerosis model

► EAE mice spinal cord shows aberrant vesicular zinc staining in the white matter. ► Clioquinol inhibited the daily clinical score and incidence rate of EAE mice. ► Clioquinol suppressed demyelination and reduced infiltration of encephalitogenic immune cells. ► Clioquinol inhibited the EAE-associated BBB disruption and MMP-9 activation. ► Clioquinol increased the induction of autophagy in EAE mice.