Demyelination


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Demyelination


Demyelination is a process in which the insulating coating (myelin sheath) around the nerves is destroyed, slowing or halting the passage of nerve impulses. The myelin sheath allows nerve impulses to be sent between the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves in the rest of the body smoothly and quickly.

Demyelination occurs in diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Guillain-Barré syndrome, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

Credits


Author Jeannette Curtis
Author Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated May 25, 2007

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Last updated: May 25, 2007
Author: Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors: Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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