Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Induction and Clinical Scoring of Chronic-Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
26:48

Induction and Clinical Scoring of Chronic-Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Published on: July 4, 2007

Recurrence of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis after a 12-year symptom-free interval

Toshiyuki Ohtake1, Shunsaku Hirai

  • 1Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, Tokyo.

Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|October 8, 2004
PubMed

Insights

This study details a rare case of recurrent acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in a patient experiencing a relapse after a 12-year symptom-free period. The findings suggest ADEM can have prolonged, late relapses.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroimmunology
  • Pediatric Neurology

Background:

  • Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an immune-mediated inflammatory demyelinating disease.
  • ADEM typically presents as a monophasic illness following infection or vaccination.

Observation:

  • A patient experienced three distinct episodes of meningoencephalitis with headache, fever, and unconsciousness.
  • Episodes occurred at ages 6, 7, and 19, with a 12-year asymptomatic interval before the third episode.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging revealed recurrent lesions in the basal ganglia and medial temporal lobes.

Findings:

  • Stereotyped clinical symptoms and consistent lesion locations across episodes supported a diagnosis of recurrent ADEM.
  • The differential diagnosis considered included multiple sclerosis and multiphasic ADEM.
  • The case highlights the possibility of late relapses in ADEM after extended symptom-free periods.

Implications:

  • This case expands the known clinical spectrum of ADEM, particularly regarding relapse patterns.
  • It underscores the importance of considering ADEM in patients with recurrent neurological episodes, even after long intervals.
  • Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying late relapses in ADEM.

More Related Videos

Induction of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Mice and Evaluation of the Disease-dependent Distribution of Immune Cells in Various Tissues08:47

Induction of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Mice and Evaluation of the Disease-dependent Distribution of Immune Cells in Various Tissues

Published on: May 8, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
Rabies01:28

Rabies

Rabies is a lethal zoonotic disease caused by a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus of the Lyssavirus genus, within the family Rhabdoviridae. Its primary mode of transmission to humans is through bites or saliva-contaminated scratches from infected mammals such as dogs, bats, raccoons, or foxes. Transmission can also occur if infectious saliva contacts abraded skin or intact mucous membranes, including the conjunctiva.Viral Entry and Early ReplicationOnce introduced at the bite or scratch...