Definition
Demyelination is the process in which myelin, the protective protein and lipid sheath around a nerve fiber, is broken down. This impacts the efficiency of nerve conduction and leaves the axon vulnerable to damage and degeneration. In multiple sclerosis, demyelination in the central nervous system is presumed to result from immune system activation of inflammatory processes that “attack” myelin and inhibit repair (remyelination) by oligodendrocytes. Axonal damage and loss are thought to produce some of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, especially in myelin-rich fibers such as the optic nerve.
Cross References
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References and Readings
Compston, A., Lassmann, H., & Smith, K. (2006). The neurobiology of multiple sclerosis. In A. Compston et al. McAlpine’s multiple sclerosis (4th ed., pp. 449–490). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this entry
Cite this entry
Fuchs, K.L. (2011). Demyelination. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_516
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_516
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-0-387-79947-6
Online ISBN: 978-0-387-79948-3
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science