Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis

Title

Other Names:

ADE; ADEM

Categories:

Nervous System Diseases

Summary Summary

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a neurological condition characterized by a brief but intense attack of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. This may lead to damage of the layer of insulation around affected the nerves (myelin) within affected areas.^[1] ADEM often follows viral infection, or less often, vaccinations for measles, mumps, or rubella (MMR).^[2] Symptoms usually appear rapidly, beginning with fever, fatigue, headache, nausea and vomiting.^[1] Treatment for ADEM is targeted at suppressing inflammation in the brain using anti-inflammatory drugs.^[3]

Last updated: 8/16/2016

Symptoms Symptoms

The symptoms of ADEM come on quickly, beginning with fever, fatigue, headache, nausea and vomiting and in severe cases, seizures and coma. Damage to white matter (brain tissue that takes its name from the white color of myelin) may also occur, leading to neurological symptoms such as visual loss, muscle weakness, and difficulty coordinating voluntary muscle movements (such as those used in walking).^[1]

ADEM can be misdiagnosed as a severe first attack of multiple sclerosis (MS), since some of the symptoms of the two disorders are similar. However, ADEM usually has symptoms of encephalitis (such as fever or coma), which are usually not present in MS. In addition, in most but not all cases, ADEM occurs only once, while patients with MS have further, repeated attacks of inflammation in their brains and spinal cords.^[1]^[2]

Last updated: 8/16/2016

Cause Cause

The cause of ADEM is not clear, however, it often develops after a viral or bacterial infection, or less often, vaccination for measles, mumps, or rubella (MMR). ADEM is thought to be an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly identifies its own healthy cells and tissues as foreign and mounts an attack against them. This attack results in inflammation. Most cases of ADEM begin about 7 to 14 days after an infection or up to three months following a vaccination. In some cases of ADEM, no preceding event is identified.^[3]^[2]

Last updated: 8/16/2016

Treatment Treatment

Treatment for ADEM aims to suppress inflammation in the brain. Treatment is usually comprised of anti-inflammatory medications. Most individuals respond well to intravenous corticosteroids, such as methylprednisolone. When corticosteroids fail to work, plasmapheresis or intravenous immunoglobulin therapy may be utilized.^[1]

Last updated: 8/16/2016

Prognosis Prognosis

The long-term outlook (prognosis) for individuals with ADEM varies. For most, recovery begins within days, and the majority of individuals will recover completely. Rarely, there may have mild to moderate lifelong impairment and severe cases of ADEM can be fatal.^[1]

ADEM can recur, usually within months of the initial diagnosis, and is treated by restarting corticosteroids. A small fraction of individuals who are initially diagnosed as having ADEM can go on to develop multiple sclerosis (MS), this risk appears to be highest in children with a disease course characterized by a lack of fever, viral illness, or recent immunization and who have specific findings on tests including electroencephalogram (EEG) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis.^[1]^[3]

Last updated: 8/16/2016

Research Research

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are studying or have studied Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

Organizations Organizations

Nonprofit support and advocacy groups bring together patients, families, medical professionals, and researchers. These groups often raise awareness, provide support, and develop patient-centered information. Many are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct people to research, resources, and services. Many groups also have experts who serve as medical advisors. Visit their website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD. Suggest an organization to add.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA)
22100 Gratiot Avenue Eastpointe
East Detroit, MI 48201-2227
Toll-free: 800-598-4668
Telephone: 586-776-3900
Fax: 586-776-3903
E-mail: aarda@aarda.org
Website: http://www.aarda.org/
Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance
920 Urban Avenue
Durham, NC 27701
E-mail: https://aealliance.org/contact/
Website: https://aealliance.org/
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
733 Third Avenue, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017-3288
Toll-free: 800-344-4867
Telephone: 212-986-3240
Fax: 212-986-7981
E-mail: nat@nmss.org
Website: http://www.nationalmssociety.org
Transverse Myelitis Association
1787 Sutter Parkway
Powell, OH 43065-8806
Toll-free: 1-855-380-3330
Telephone: 614-317-4884
E-mail: info@myelitis.org
Website: http://www.myelitis.org
United Leukodystrophy Foundation (ULF)
224 North Second Street
Suite 2
DeKalb, IL 60115
Toll-free: 800-728-5483
Telephone: 815-748-3211
Fax: 815-748-0844
E-mail: office@ulf.org
Website: http://www.ulf.org/

Learn More Learn More

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) collects and disseminates research information related to neurological disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society provides information on acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). Click on the above link to access information on this topic.
The Transverse Myelitis Association provides information about acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM).

In-Depth Information

Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

News & Events News & Events

NCATS Co-Sponsored Conferences

20th Congress of the International Organization for Mycoplasmology (IOM) Sunday, June 1, 2014 - Friday, June 6, 2014
Location: Federal Universidade Regional de Blumenau , Santa Catarina, Brazil
Description: The Congress provides a unique international forum to exchange scientific findings, discuss recent research progress, identify areas requiring greater emphasis, set research goals for the next biennium, recognize outstanding achievement in the field, and promote the study of mycoplasmas to young scientists. The Congress is also significant because it creates important opportunities for career development, networking and formal international recognition of early career achievements by the next generation of mycoplasmologists. Direct international exchange of new findings on the biology, epidemiology and control of these pathogens is contributing to improved diagnostics and intervention strategies necessary to reduce the substantial burden of infectious diseases involving these organisms, and helps to excite and create career opportunities for rising young biomedical scientists.

Contact: Barbara L. Mulach, Ph.D.,(301) 402-4199,bmulach@niaid.nih.gov

Co-funding Institute(s): National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Office of Rare Diseases Research

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The following diseases are related to Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. If you have a question about any of these diseases, you can contact GARD.

Leukodystrophy

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One of my relatives was diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis in 1997. Due to poor medical care, he has not received consistent treatment and his health has deteriorated over the years. He is now completely paralyzed. Is it too late for treatment to be effective? What is the prognosis for an individual who has not been treated promptly? See answer