Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a rare disorder of the nervous system that causes a variety of symptoms and is very difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of brain tumors and other nervous system disorders. Still, knowing some of the more common warning signs of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy can help you make an informed decision about your health care. As with any medical condition, it is important that you seek medical attention from a specialist to receive the care and treatment you need.
Causes
An infection of the patient by the John Cunningham (JC) virus infects the white matter of the brain, that portion of the brain where the nerve bundles are myelinated (or "sheathed" in a protective protein) and the tissue through which messages pass between the different clusters of gray matter in the brain. With progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, the myelin is stripped away, causing the messages to short out, much like scraping the rubber from an electrical cord can cause it to short out and no longer work properly.
Signs
Some of the signs of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy are loss of speech (aphasia), severe headaches, clumsiness or loss of coordination, problems with vision and an inability to move one or more limbs. In this respect, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy symptoms mimic those of other brain and nervous disorders.
Prevalence
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy typically affects people with suppressed immune systems, such as patients with AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), but only rarely. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, only 4 percent of AIDS patients experience progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
Prevention/Solution
There is no cure for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. There are treatments, however, that can help combat the symptoms (though not the virus itself) and return some normalcy to the patient. Typically, doctors prescribe antiviral medications and other medicines that counteract the symptoms indicative of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
Detection
There are four main ways of detecting progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: a cytology (detection of cancer or inflammation) urine test, an electroencephalogram (EEG), a magnetic resonance image (MRI) and a computer tomography (CT or "CAT") scan. The urine test can help rule out tumors or other cancers of the brain, while the EEG can detect abnormal brain function. The latter two (MRI and CT) offer a look inside the brain to aid in diagnosis.
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