MedGen

A progressive autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system resulting in demyelination. Patients develop physical and cognitive impairments that correspond with the affected nerve fibers. [from NCI]

Conditions characterized by loss or dysfunction of myelin (see myelin sheath) in the brain, spinal cord, or optic nerves secondary to autoimmune mediated processes. This may take the form of a humoral or cellular immune response directed toward myelin or oligodendroglia associated autoantigens. [from MONDO]

A disorder characterized by the degeneration of the nervous system due to autoimmunity. Representative examples include multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and myasthenia gravis. [from NCI]

A broad group of disorders that affect the myelin sheaths that cover the neurons. Myelin sheathes cover neuronal axons in the central and peripheral nervous system and function to increase travelling impulse speeds. Disruption of this sheath impairs neuronal transmission and can result in disorders such as multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barre syndrome, among others. [from NCI]