Demyelinating diseases

A demyelinating disease is any condition that damages the protective coating on your nerve cells (myelin). This damage is called demyelination. When your myelin is damaged, your nerve signals can’t communicate as they should.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common type of demyelinating disease. Symptoms of demyelination range in severity and include muscle and vision problems. Nerve damage can’t be repaired, so early diagnosis and treatment is important to manage the underlying condition and symptoms.

What’s the difference between demyelination & dysmyelination?

Dysmyelination is a condition that also affects your myelin. Unlike demyelination, dysmyelination is a hereditary condition where your body can’t form myelin normally. This causes the formation of malformed or defective myelin.

Types of demyelinating disease

There are two categories of demyelinating disease types – those that affect your central nervous system or your peripheral nervous system.

Demyelinating diseases that affect your central nervous system include:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Transverse myelitis (TM)
• Leukodystrophy
• Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
• Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)
• Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM)

Demyelinating diseases that affect your peripheral nervous system:

• Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT)
• Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)

Demyelinating disease causes

The cause of demyelinating diseases is largely unknown, but research is ongoing. Known causes include:

• A viral or bacterial infection
• Inflammation from an autoimmune condition
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Loss of oxygen to the brain

Demyelinating disease symptoms

Symptoms vary by person and are unique to your type of demyelinating disease. Some may have symptoms in only one part of their body, while others may experience multiple symptoms at the same time.

It’s common to experience symptoms in your muscles with a demyelinating disease. These include:

• Muscle weakness
• Numbness or tingling in your muscles
• Stiff muscles

Other symptoms of demyelinating disease include:

• Balance and walking difficulties
• Blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Fatigue
• Depression or anxiety
• Trouble chewing or swallowing
• Irregular eye movements
• Confusion
• Bladder or bowel issues

Sometimes, symptoms may improve over time. Demyelinating disease symptoms may also gradually worsen. They can also be life-threatening.

Demyelinating disease diagnosis

A diagnosis is crucial to managing a demyelinating disease. Your doctor will first review your medical history and discuss any potential demyelinating disease symptoms . Most often, you’ll be referred to a neurologist, who will perform a neurological exam.

Several other tests may be recommended to rule out other possible conditions and provide a diagnosis. Additional imaging and nerve function tests may include:

• An MRI
• A CT scan
• Electromyography (EMG) test
• Lumbar puncture (also known as a spinal tap)
• Blood tests

Demyelinating disease treatment

Once you have a diagnosis, you’ll work closely with your doctor to create a treatment plan that is unique to you. Treatment focuses on managing the condition or illness that caused your type of demyelinating disease and managing your symptoms. Common treatments include medications and physical therapy.

Since a demyelinating disease is a lifelong condition, you’ll have regular visits with your care team. Your outlook will depend on many factors, including the type of damage to your nerve cells and your symptoms.