Demyelination

Demyelination is the loss or damage of myelin surrounding nerve fibers. It disrupts the insulation that helps nerve signals travel efficiently.

Myelin: Myelin is a lipid-rich insulating layer around many nerve fibers, produced by specialized glial cells. Demyelination is the loss or damage of this insulating layer.
Multiple sclerosis: Multiple sclerosis is an immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system involving inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration. It is a major cause of inflammatory demyelination in the brain and spinal cord.
Oligodendrocyte: An oligodendrocyte is a central nervous system glial cell that forms myelin around axons. Damage to these cells can cause myelin loss in the brain and spinal cord.
Autoimmunity: Autoimmunity is an immune response directed against the body’s own cells or molecules. Self-directed immune activity causes myelin injury in several acquired disorders.
Saltatory conduction: Saltatory conduction is the rapid propagation of nerve impulses as action potentials regenerate at gaps between myelin segments. Myelin loss interrupts the efficient node-to-node signaling this process enables.
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is an autoimmune disease that commonly targets aquaporin-4 in the central nervous system. Its attacks can cause severe optic nerve and spinal cord demyelination.
Schwann cell: A Schwann cell is a peripheral nervous system glial cell that supports axons and forms myelin around them. Peripheral demyelination often involves injury to Schwann cells or their myelin.
Demyelinating disease: A demyelinating disease is a disorder in which damage to myelin is a defining feature. Demyelination arises across a family of diseases with different causes and locations.
Nodes of Ranvier: Nodes of Ranvier are gaps between adjacent myelin segments where nerve axons concentrate ion channels. Disrupted insulation changes how signals propagate between these exposed gaps.
Guillain–Barré syndrome: Guillain–Barré syndrome is an acute immune-mediated disorder of peripheral nerves and nerve roots. Its common demyelinating form damages peripheral nerve myelin.

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