Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis
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What is Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Organizations
What is Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis?
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is characterized by a brief but intense attack of inflammation in the brain and
spinal cord that damages myelin – the protective covering of nerve fibers. It often follows viral infection, or less often,
vaccination for measles, mumps, or rubella. The symptoms of ADEM come on quickly, beginning with encephalitis-like symptoms
such as fever, fatigue, headache, nausea and vomiting, and in severe cases, seizures and coma. It may also damage white matter
(brain tissue that takes its name from the white color of myelin), leading to neurological symptoms such as visual loss (due
to inflammation of the optic nerve) in one or both eyes, weakness even to the point of paralysis, and difficulty coordinating
voluntary muscle movements (such as those used in walking). ADEM is sometimes misdiagnosed as a severe first attack of multiple
sclerosis (MS), since some of the symptoms of the two disorders, particularly those caused by white matter injury, may be
similar. However, ADEM usually has symptoms of encephalitis (such as fever or coma), as well as symptoms of myelin damage
(visual loss, paralysis), as opposed to MS, which doesn’t have encephalitis symptoms. In addition, ADEM usually consists
of a single episode or attack, while MS features many attacks over the course of time. Doctors will often use imaging techniques,
such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), to search for old and new lesions (areas of damage) on the brain. Old “inactive”
brain lesions on MRI suggest that the condition may be MS rather than ADEM, since MS often causes brain lesions before symptoms
become obvious. In rare situations, brain biopsy may show findings that allow differentiation between ADEM and severe, acute
forms of MS. Children are more likely than adults to have ADEM.
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
United Leukodystrophy Foundation 2304 Highland Drive Sycamore, IL 60178 office@ulf.org http://www.ulf.org Tel: 815-895-3211 800-728-5483 Fax: 815-895-2432 |
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 1968 (55 Kenosia Avenue) Danbury, CT 06813-1968 orphan@rarediseases.org http://www.rarediseases.org Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673) Fax: 203-798-2291 |
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Last updated August 16, 2007