List of Demyelinating Diseases

Demyelinating diseases are medical conditions that damage the myelin sheath that protects the brain, spinal cord and other parts of the central and peripheral nervous systems. These diseases can cause progressive neurological difficulties, which may cause paralysis, difficulty breathing, speech disorders and cognitive and physical impairment.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a common inherited neurological condition. Symptoms of CMT include drop foot, foot deformities and weakness of the lower leg and foot muscles. Drop foot, also known as foot drop, is a sign of a neurological disorder that makes it difficult to lift the front part of the foot. CMT is caused by genetic mutations that disrupt the production of normal proteins. This causes changes in the peripheral nerve axons and the myelin sheath. While there is no cure for this condition, orthopedic devices, occupational therapy and physical therapy can help ease some of the symptoms of CMT.

Devic's Disease

Devic's disease is a condition in which the myelin of the eye nerves and spinal cord becomes inflamed and damaged. Symptoms of this condition can include temporary or permanent blindness, weakness of the legs and arms, paralysis of the legs and arms, bladder and bowel dysfunction and loss of sensation. According to the Transverse Myelitis Association, attacks of this disease are usually more severe and more frequent than the attacks caused by multiple sclerosis. This condition can become stable, but it can also be life-threatening if spinal cord damage causes a person to stop breathing.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a condition in which the myelin sheath of the peripheral nervous system is attacked by the immune system. Tingling and weakness in the legs are usually the first symptoms of this condition. If it progresses, Guillian-Barre syndrome can cause a person to stop breathing and it can also cause heart rate and blood pressure abnormalities. According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, this condition is rare, and affects only one out of 100,000 people. There is no known cause and no cure for Guillian-Barre syndrome, but plasma exchange and immunoglobin therapy can be used to treat episodes of this condition.

Leukodystrophies

Leukodystrophies are a group of rare diseases that affect the myelin sheath, which protects nerve cells. When the myelin sheath is damaged, messages cannot be carried from the brain to other parts of the body and movement, vision, hearing, speaking and physical and mental development are impaired. These conditions can cause behavioral changes, memory loss, problems walking, slurred speech, seizures, loss of speech and difficulty swallowing. Examples of leukodystrophies include Alexander disease, Canavan disease, Krabbe disease, Refsum disease and Sjogren-Larsson syndrome.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that damages the myelin sheath of the central nervous system. Symptoms of this condition include numbness of the limbs, fatigue, bladder and bowel dysfunction, dizziness, vertigo, loss of vision and paralysis. MS can get progressively worse, or a person may experience flareups with periods of remission. No cure is available for MS, but some drugs can be used to modify the course of the disease. Physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation and cognitive rehabilitation can help to treat the symptoms of MS.

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a viral infection that damages the myelin sheath of the central nervous system. According to the Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals, clumsiness may be the first noticeable sign of this condition. Other signs and symptoms of PML include speech impairment, vision loss or blindness in half of the visual field. No cure is available for PML, but supportive services can be provided. Death usually occurs within one year of the onset of this disease.