Demyelinating Diseases of the CNS

A demyelinating disease is a pathological process belonging to a group of conditions in which the myelin sheaths of the conducting pathways of the CNS (brain and spinal cord) are damaged. When myelin is damaged, the transmission of impulses along nerve fibers slows down or does not occur at all, which leads to neurological symptoms.

According to the WHO, multiple sclerosis alone affects more than 1 million people worldwide. Among diagnosed cases, the diagnosis is more common in women aged 20-35 (about 80%) and in men aged 35-45. The average age of onset is 29-33 years. In children under 18, the onset of impairment of myelinated nerve fibers is less common (2.7-6%), and in people over 59 it occurs in 0.6% of cases. Among neurological diseases, multiple sclerosis is currently the main cause of lasting disability in young people.

Do you have questions? Would you like to be examined, or do you suspect demyelination in yourself or your relatives? Do you already have a diagnosis? Not sure which doctor treats demyelinating diseases of the CNS?

At the multidisciplinary CSM Clinic in Kyiv you will get answers. Our full-cycle clinic can diagnose the condition promptly, draw up a treatment plan and help slow the progression of the disease as much as possible and improve your quality of life. For us, demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system in children and adults are a challenge, not a sentence.

What Counts as a Demyelinating Disease of the Central Nervous System

Types of demyelinating diseases of the brain and spinal cord according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD):

• G35 Multiple sclerosis
• G36 Other acute disseminated demyelination

• G36.0 Neuromyelitis optica [Devic's disease]
• G36.1 Acute and subacute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis [Hurst's disease]
• G36.8 Other specified acute disseminated demyelination
• G36.9 Acute disseminated demyelination, unspecified

• G37 Other demyelinating diseases of the CNS:

• G37.0 Diffuse sclerosis
• G37.1 Central demyelination of the corpus callosum
• G37.2 Central pontine myelinolysis
• G37.3 Acute transverse myelitis in demyelinating disease of the CNS
• G37.4 Subacute necrotizing myelitis
• G37.5 Concentric sclerosis [Balo]
• G37.8 Other specified demyelinating diseases of the CNS
• G37.9 Demyelinating disease of the CNS, unspecified

Most researchers favor the theory of combined etiology. This means that the conditions for the development of the disease involve a combination of several of the factors listed above and other, still unknown, factors.

Consequences of Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System

Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system affect a person's health and quality of life. They can lead to impaired cognitive function, loss of sensation and other problems, and, as a result, to disability and even death.

Diagnosis of Demyelinating Diseases of the CNS

When symptoms of demyelinating diseases of the CNS appear, the following are used for diagnosis:

• differentiation from other diseases with similar symptoms;
• MRI;
• recording of evoked brain potentials (visual, auditory, somatosensory) - EEG is most often used for this;
• cerebrospinal fluid analysis.

Magnetic resonance imaging is the only imaging method for demyelinating diseases of the CNS. Computed tomography and ultrasound do not show lesions in the early stages, because there is no significant change in tissue density.

Treatment of Demyelinating Diseases of the CNS

Treatment of demyelinating diseases of the CNS is a complex and long process because of the chronic nature of the disease.

The main goal of treatment for demyelination is to slow the progression of the pathological process and improve the patient's quality of life.

Comprehensive treatment may include tools such as:

• medication therapy;
• adjustment of diet, sleep schedule and lifestyle;
• therapeutic exercise and other measured physical activity;
• general massage, and so on.

Depending on the stage of the disease, therapy that can influence immune processes is used.

As a rule, treatment of demyelinating diseases of the CNS consists of symptomatic therapy and specific treatment methods.

The treatment plan is chosen individually and depends on the stage of the disease, the patient's age and sex, the characteristics of the patient's body, and so on.

Prevention of Demyelinating Diseases of the CNS

Already diagnosed demyelinating diseases of the CNS require medications that help manage exacerbations and slow the progression of the disease.

If you want to prevent their development, there is no specific prevention as such. Recommendations come down to avoiding exposure to the factors on the list of possible causes. For people who have previously had a CNS disease or have a family history, regular medical checkups are advised.

Advantages of Treating Demyelinating Diseases of the CNS at Our Clinic

1. CSM Clinic in Kyiv is a medical center where you can get a full range of services, from diagnostics to supportive therapy.
2. A powerful MAGNETOM Skyra Maximize 3T scanner with a 70 cm bore and other expert-level diagnostic equipment.
3. Neurologists with extensive practical experience in treating demyelinating diseases and a high level of empathy.
4. A personal approach to each patient.
5. Treatment using methods and techniques accepted in world neurological practice.
6. Comfortable conditions for diagnostics and therapy.
7. Affordable pricing.

Need high-precision diagnostics and treatment of demyelinating diseases of the CNS in Kyiv? Not sure where to go? Expert diagnostics and treatment are available at CSM Clinic in Kyiv. To book an appointment with a neurologist, contact our call center or leave a request on the website, and we will call you back shortly to confirm the details. Trust the professionals.