Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 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

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis in children: a single institution experience of 28 patients

Po-Cheng Hung1, Huei-Shyong Wang, Ming-Liang Chou

  • 1Division of Pediatric Neurology, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. h2918@cgmh.org.tw

Neuropediatrics
|April 5, 2012
PubMed

Insights

This study details acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in Taiwanese children, noting common symptoms like impaired consciousness and white matter lesions. Steroid treatment led to rapid recovery, with most children experiencing complete recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Neuroimmunology
  • Demyelinating Diseases

Background:

  • Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an immune-mediated demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system.
  • Understanding ADEM's presentation and outcomes in diverse pediatric populations is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the clinical, laboratory, and neuroimaging features of ADEM in Taiwanese children.
  • To compare these findings with international cohorts from the United States and Japan.
  • To evaluate treatment responses and outcomes in this pediatric cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records and MRI scans for 28 Taiwanese children diagnosed with ADEM (2001-2009).
  • Analysis of clinical presentation, prodromal illness, cerebrospinal fluid findings, and neuroimaging results.
  • Assessment of treatment protocols, primarily steroid therapy, and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

  • The mean age of onset was 6 years 9 months, with 24 children having a preceding illness.
  • Common symptoms included impaired consciousness and headache; MRI revealed white matter lesions, frequently in frontal/parietal lobes and deep gray matter, with no cortical involvement.
  • Intrathecal oligoclonal bands were absent in cerebrospinal fluid samples.

Conclusions:

  • Steroid treatment, including high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone and dexamethasone, was associated with rapid recovery.
  • All patients survived, with 23 achieving complete recovery and five experiencing mild sequelae.
  • Taiwanese pediatric ADEM shares similarities with international cohorts but highlights specific neuroimaging patterns and favorable outcomes with prompt steroid intervention.

More Related Videos

Induction and Diverse Assessment Indicators of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis06:19

Induction and Diverse Assessment Indicators of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Published on: September 9, 2022

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...
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...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
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...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...