A demyelinating disease affects your myelin sheath. This is a protective cover that surrounds nerve cells. Damage to your myelin can happen if your immune system mistakes healthy nerve cells for harmful ones. The most common demyelinating disease is multiple sclerosis. Treatment varies based on what type of demyelinating disease affects you.
A demyelinating disease is a condition that causes a damage to the myelin in your brain, spinal cord and nerves. Myelin is a protective cover (sheath) around the body section (axon) of nerve cells (neurons) in your central and peripheral nervous system. Myelin strengthens, protects and insulates your nerve cells and allows electrical impulses to travel between cells.
If you have a demyelinating disease, your immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath or the cells that make up your myelin. This changes the way your nerves communicate and function, which causes symptoms.
Common demyelinating diseases that affect your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) include:
Common demyelinating diseases that affect your peripheral nervous system (nerves outside of your brain and spinal cord) include:
Is demyelinating disease always MS?
No, there are several conditions that are classified as demyelinating diseases. MS is the one most common in North America.
Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common demyelinating diseases. A study in 2019 estimated that there were nearly 1 million people in the United States living with MS.
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Signs and symptoms of demyelinating diseases vary based on the type. Common symptoms of a central nervous system demyelinating disease may include:
You might experience symptoms that affect only one part of your body or many at the same time. Symptoms can fluctuate in severity. This means that they can get worse (feel more intense) before improving for a period of time.
The destruction of myelin and myelin-forming cells causes demyelinating diseases. Damage to your myelin and cells happens when your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy myelin. Your immune system protects your body from things that can make you sick, like bacteria and viruses. Sometimes, your immune system doesn’t get the correct instructions and it confuses your myelin cells for cells of something that can harm your body. When this happens, it causes inflammation, which leads to symptoms of demyelinating diseases.
A demyelinating disease can happen due to multiple factors, which can include:
Some causes are unknown. Research is ongoing to learn more about demyelinating diseases.
A healthcare provider will review your symptoms during a physical exam. They’ll also take a complete medical history to learn more about you. If they suspect a demyelinating disease, they might refer you to see a neurologist. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in conditions that affect your nervous system.
The neurologist will perform a neurological exam and testing. There isn’t one test to diagnose demyelination. Your provider may use one or several of the following tests to rule out possible conditions with similar symptoms to lead to your diagnosis:
An MRI is an imaging test that can give your healthcare provider a better picture of what’s going on inside your body. It uses magnets and radio waves to take a picture of your brain and spinal cord. An MRI will show areas of damage (lesions) in your brain and spinal cord if you have a demyelinating disease.
Treatment for a demyelinating disease varies based on what condition you have. Your healthcare provider will work closely with you to manage symptoms and, in some cases, change the course or progression of the condition in your body. Treatment could include:
Your healthcare provider will evaluate your symptoms and the type of treatment plan best for your situation. Before you begin treatment, ask about the side effects and what to expect. If you notice new or worsening symptoms after starting treatment, let your healthcare provider know. Treatment is usually most effective when you start it early.
Your outlook varies based on the type of demyelinating disease that caused your symptoms. These conditions affect many aspects of your life, like how you think, move and feel. You might have trouble walking or doing your daily routine, for example. Many people need assistance at home so they can live in a safe environment. Some people may have very mild symptoms without any long-term effects, while other people’s symptoms are severe and significantly impact day-to-day life. Each situation is different. Your healthcare provider can help you manage your symptoms throughout your life, as there isn’t a cure.
Demyelinating diseases can affect your life expectancy, but many don’t have a direct impact on how long you’ll live. On average, people with a demyelinating disease may have a slightly shorter life expectancy (a few years shorter) than people who don’t have this condition. Your life expectancy varies based on how much damage your nerve cells receive. This is different for each person. Your healthcare provider can give you the best answer to this question based on how the condition affects you.
Contact a healthcare provider if you experience symptoms of demyelinating disease like:
Myelin is an important part of your body that keeps your nerve cells protected and functioning as expected. Damage to this area can make you vulnerable and cause symptoms like pain, difficulty moving or trouble thinking clearly. A healthcare provider can diagnose and treat the demyelinating condition that affects you. Demyelinating conditions don’t have a cure, so you’ll need to manage your symptoms throughout your life with the help of your care team. Always reach out to your provider if you have questions about your condition or treatment options or experience new or worsening symptoms.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/18/2023.
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