Demyelination occurs when there is damage to the myelin, a fatty layer that surrounds and insulates axons. Axons act as a pipeline, sending messages from the brain to other parts of the body. When the myelin is damaged, the body has a difficult time receiving those signals from the brain. This is what can cause various symptoms.
Demyelinating diseases likely result from an autoimmune process in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own myelin.
The triggers, which cause the immune system to attack the myelin, are not always clearly understood, but CPODD is working with other clinics to better understand the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcome of pediatric demyelinating disease.