NINDS Schilder's Disease Information Page

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Schilder's Disease

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Synonym(s): Myelinoclastic Diffuse Sclerosis, Diffuse Sclerosis

Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)
What is Schilder's Disease?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?

Organizations
Related NINDS Publications and Information

What is Schilder's Disease?
Note: Schilder's disease is not the same as Addison-Schilder disease (adrenoleukodystrophy). Schilder's disease is a rare progressive demyelinating disorder which usually begins in childhood. Symptoms may include dementia, aphasia, seizures, personality changes, poor attention, tremors, balance instability, incontinence, muscle weakness, headache, vomiting, and vision and speech impairment. The disorder is a variant of multiple sclerosis.

Is there any treatment?

Treatment for the disorder follows the established standards in multiple sclerosis and includes corticosteroids, beta-interferon or immunosuppressive therapy, and symptomatic treatment.

What is the prognosis?

As with multiple sclerosis, the course and prognosis of Schilder's disease are unpredictable. For some individuals the disorder is progressive with a steady, unremitting course. Others may experience significant improvement and even remission. In some cases, Schilder's disease is fatal.

What research is being done?

The NINDS supports and conducts an extensive research program on demyelinating disorders such as Schilder's disease. Much of this research focuses on learning more about these disorders and finding ways to prevent, treat, and cure them.

Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.

Organizations

National Multiple Sclerosis Society 733 Third Avenue 6th Floor New York, NY 10017-3288 nat@nmss.org http://www.nationalmssociety.org Tel: 212-986-3240 800-344-4867 (FIGHTMS) Fax: 212-986-7981	Multiple Sclerosis Association of America 706 Haddonfield Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 webmaster@msaa.com www.msassociation.org Tel: 856-488-4500 800-532-7667 Fax: 856-661-9797
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation 6350 North Andrews Avenue Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309-2130 support@msfocus.org http://www.msfocus.org Tel: 954-776-6805 888-MSFOCUS (673-6287) Fax: 954-351-0630

Related NINDS Publications and Information

Multiple Sclerosis: Hope Through Research
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

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NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

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Last updated August 13, 2008