Demyelinating Diseases

Demyelinating diseases are conditions where the protective covering called myelin around nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord gets damaged. Myelin helps electrical signals travel quickly and efficiently between nerves and the rest of the body. When damaged, these signals slow down or become disrupted, leading to problems like muscle weakness, coordination issues, and vision problems. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common example. These diseases are often chronic and can vary in severity. They result from an immune system mistakenly attacking myelin, leading to inflammation and nerve damage. Treatment aims to manage symptoms and slow disease progression.