Canadian Medical Guide > Diseases > Nervous System Diseases > Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System Terms and Definitions




Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System

Medical Definition: Disorders caused by cellular or humoral immune responses primarily directed towards nervous system autoantigens. The immune response may be directed towards specific tissue components (e.g., myelin) and may be limited to the central nervous system (e.g., MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS) or the peripheral nervous system (e.g., GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME).
Guide Notes: DF: AUTOIMMUNE DIS NERVOUS SYSTEM
Also Called: Immune Disorders, Nervous System
Previously Indexed: Autoimmune Diseases (1966-1999)
Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System Categories.
Canadian Medical Guide Definition Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS - Conditions characterized by loss or dysfunction of myelin (see MYELIN SHEATH) in the brain, spinal cord, or optic nerves secondary to autoimmune mediated processes. This may take the form of a humoral or cellular immune response directed toward myelin or OLIGODENDROGLIA associated autoantigens.
Canadian Medical Guide Definition Disease Models, Autoimmune, Nervous System - Animal disease models that simulate human autoimmune disorders of the central or peripheral nervous system. Disease models have been established for the study of GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME (see NEURITIS, EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGIC); MYASTHENIA GRAVIS (see MYASTHENIA GRAVIS, EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE); and MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (see ENCEPHALOMYELITIS, EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE).
Canadian Medical Guide Definition Myasthenia Gravis - A disorder of neuromuscular transmission characterized by weakness of cranial and skeletal muscles. Autoantibodies directed against acetylcholine receptors damage the motor endplate portion of the NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION, impairing the transmission of impulses to skeletal muscles. Clinical manifestations may include diplopia, ptosis, and weakness of facial, bulbar, respiratory, and proximal limb muscles. The disease may remain limited to the ocular muscles. THYMOMA is commonly associated with this condition. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1459)
Canadian Medical Guide Definition Polyradiculoneuropathy - Diseases characterized by injury or dysfunction involving multiple peripheral nerves and nerve roots. The process may primarily affect myelin or nerve axons. Two of the more common demyelinating forms are acute inflammatory polyradiculopathy (GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME) and POLYRADICULONEUROPATHY, CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY DEMYELINATING. Polyradiculoneuritis refers to inflammation of multiple peripheral nerves and spinal nerve roots.
Canadian Medical Guide Definition Stiff-Person Syndrome - A condition characterized by persistent spasms (SPASM) involving multiple muscles, primarily in the lower limbs and trunk. The illness tends to occur in the fourth to sixth decade of life, presenting with intermittent spasms that become continuous. Minor sensory stimuli, such as noise and light touch, precipitate severe spasms. Spasms do not occur during sleep and only rarely involve cranial muscles. Respiration may become impaired in advanced cases. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1492; Neurology 1998 Jul;51(1):85-93)
Canadian Medical Guide Definition Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome - A syndrome characterized by bilateral granulomatous UVEITIS with IRITIS and secondary GLAUCOMA, premature ALOPECIA, symmetrical VITILIGO, poliosis circumscripta (a strand of depigmented hair), HEARING DISORDERS, and meningeal signs (neck stiffness and headache). Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid reveals a pattern consistent with MENINGITIS, ASEPTIC. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p748; Surv Ophthalmol 1995 Jan;39(4):265-292)
Canadian Medical Guide Definition Vasculitis, Central Nervous System - Inflammation of blood vessels within the central nervous system. Etiologies include autoimmune disorders (see also LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS, SYSTEMIC; POLYARTERITIS NODOSA; WEGENER'S GRANULOMATOSIS), infections, exposure to radiation or toxins, and other conditions. Autoimmune or idiopathic vasculitides limited to the central nervous system are referred to as primary CNS vasculitides. CNS vasculitides associated with a systemic process or known pathogens are referred to as secondary CNS vasculitides. Clinical manifestations are highly variable but include headaches; SEIZURES; behavioral alterations; INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGES; transient ischemic attacks (ISCHEMIC ATTACK, TRANSIENT); and BRAIN INFARCTION. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp856-61)

Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System Medical Definitions and Terms

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