Demyelination

[WEW1211]

Is there a cure for demyelination?

[mini_d]

Most major nerves and various areas in the brain are covered by a fatty substancecalled myelin. This is produced by specialised cells. Myelin helps in easier propogation of electrical impulses through the nerves. Demyelination is due to a loss of myelin from the nervous system. The most well known demyelinating disease is Multiple Sclerosis.

Demyelination has no popular known cure, though work is going on in the fields of genetic engineering, tissue culture, stem cell therapy. Everyone working in these fields hopes to see a result soon, due to the debilitating nature of these diseases.

[WEW1211]

Thank you.

Can anyone tell me if MRI scans of the brain showing "lesions" are sufficient proof of diagnosis - whilst all other test performed including nerve conduction tests and blood tests give perfectly normal results?

[mini_d]

Hi,

The generally conducted blood tests will almostnever show up any abnormality in a person with a demyelinating disease. As far as nerve conduction studies are concerned, the particular nerve that was tested would probably not have started demyelination. Hence those studies also would be negative. Under these situations, MRI is the best way to diagnose demyelination.

Hope this helps

Regards