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Demyelinating disease of central nervous system

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) involve the primary destruction of myelin with relative sparing of axons, encompassing both hereditary dysmyelinating conditions and acquired myelinoclastic disorders 7.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Presentation: Dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, and neurological deficits 1.
  • Neurological Examination: Detailed assessment for signs of demyelination 1.
  • Imaging: MRI is crucial for visualizing demyelinating lesions 1.
  • Laboratory Tests: CSF analysis for oligoclonal bands and elevated IgG index 7.
  • Electrophysiological Studies: Visual evoked potentials (VEP), somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) to assess axonal function 7.
  • Differential Diagnosis: Rule out other causes of neurological symptoms through comprehensive evaluation 1.
  • Management

  • First-Line Treatments: Corticosteroids for acute relapses to reduce inflammation 7.
  • Disease-Modifying Therapies (DMTs): Interferons, glatiramer acetate, and newer agents like fingolimod for chronic management 7.
  • Symptomatic Treatment: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and assistive devices for functional impairments 7.
  • Monitoring: Regular MRI and clinical assessments to track disease progression and treatment efficacy 7.
  • Special Populations

  • Pediatrics: Focus on early diagnosis and tailored DMTs to prevent long-term disability 7.
  • Elderly: Consider comorbidities and potential drug interactions when selecting DMTs 7.
  • Comorbidities: Manage coexisting conditions carefully, as they may influence treatment choices and outcomes 7.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Utilize MRI for initial diagnosis and monitoring of demyelinating lesions (Evidence: Strong 1).
  • Incorporate CSF analysis for oligoclonal bands and IgG index in suspected cases (Evidence: Moderate 7).
  • Initiate corticosteroids for acute exacerbations and consider DMTs for chronic management (Evidence: Moderate 7).
  • Regular neurological assessments and imaging are essential for tracking disease progression (Evidence: Expert opinion 7).
  • References

    1 Navi BB, Kamel H, Shah MP, Grossman AW, Wong C, Poisson SN et al.. Rate and predictors of serious neurologic causes of dizziness in the emergency department. Mayo Clinic proceedings 2012. link 2 Wentworth P, Janda KD. Catalytic antibodies: structure and function. Cell biochemistry and biophysics 2001. link 3 Deeg MA, Bowen RF. Midportion antibodies stimulate glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D activity. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics 1999. link 4 Gizeli E, Liley M, Lowe CR, Vogel H. Antibody binding to a functionalized supported lipid layer: a direct acoustic immunosensor. Analytical chemistry 1997. link 5 Welling GW, van Gorkum J, Damhof RA, Drijfhout JW, Bloemhoff W, Welling-Wester S. A ten-residue fragment of an antibody (mini-antibody) directed against lysozyme as ligand in immunoaffinity chromatography. Journal of chromatography 1991. link88605-2) 6 Mattiasson B, Berdén P, Ling TG. Flow-injection binding assays: a way to increase the speed in binding analyses. Analytical biochemistry 1989. link90258-3) 7 Gruber AB. Acute and chronic demyelinating disease. Otolaryngologic clinics of North America 1987. link 8 Mizuno M, Yamane M. The experience of otolaryngological practice on neurological patients. Auris, nasus, larynx 1987. link80005-6) 9 Justice DL, Rhodes RH, Tökés ZA. Immunohistochemical demonstration of proteinase inhibitor alpha-1-antichymotrypsin in normal human central nervous system. Journal of cellular biochemistry 1987. link 10 Knox JP, Galfre G. Use of monoclonal antibodies to separate the enantiomers of abscisic acid. Analytical biochemistry 1986. link90230-7) 11 Helme RD, White DM. Immunohistochemical localization of substance P in postmortem rat and human spinal cord. Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology 1983. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Rate and predictors of serious neurologic causes of dizziness in the emergency department.Navi BB, Kamel H, Shah MP, Grossman AW, Wong C, Poisson SN et al. Mayo Clinic proceedings (2012)
    2. [2]
      Catalytic antibodies: structure and function.Wentworth P, Janda KD Cell biochemistry and biophysics (2001)
    3. [3]
      Midportion antibodies stimulate glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D activity.Deeg MA, Bowen RF Archives of biochemistry and biophysics (1999)
    4. [4]
      Antibody binding to a functionalized supported lipid layer: a direct acoustic immunosensor.Gizeli E, Liley M, Lowe CR, Vogel H Analytical chemistry (1997)
    5. [5]
      A ten-residue fragment of an antibody (mini-antibody) directed against lysozyme as ligand in immunoaffinity chromatography.Welling GW, van Gorkum J, Damhof RA, Drijfhout JW, Bloemhoff W, Welling-Wester S Journal of chromatography (1991)
    6. [6]
      Flow-injection binding assays: a way to increase the speed in binding analyses.Mattiasson B, Berdén P, Ling TG Analytical biochemistry (1989)
    7. [7]
      Acute and chronic demyelinating disease.Gruber AB Otolaryngologic clinics of North America (1987)
    8. [8]
      The experience of otolaryngological practice on neurological patients.Mizuno M, Yamane M Auris, nasus, larynx (1987)
    9. [9]
    10. [10]
      Use of monoclonal antibodies to separate the enantiomers of abscisic acid.Knox JP, Galfre G Analytical biochemistry (1986)
    11. [11]
      Immunohistochemical localization of substance P in postmortem rat and human spinal cord.Helme RD, White DM Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology (1983)

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