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Updated: May 11, 2026
26:48
Induction and Clinical Scoring of Chronic-Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Published on: July 4, 2007
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.
1Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology, National Paediatric Hospital Dr. Juan P. Garrahan, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Handbook of Clinical Neurology
|April 30, 2013
Summary
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a childhood CNS disorder. Diagnosis relies on clinical and MRI findings, with favorable prognosis after steroid treatment, though differentiating from MS and NMO can be challenging.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroimmunology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Childhood white matter disorders have gained attention with advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Pediatric inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) present with diverse clinical features, severity, progression, and prognoses.
- Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a common, acute, immune-mediated CNS inflammatory disorder in children, characterized by encephalopathy and neurological deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the current literature on childhood ADEM.
- To discuss diagnostic challenges, particularly differentiating ADEM from multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) in relapsing cases.
- To present proposed consensus definitions for monophasic and relapsing variants of ADEM.
Main Methods:
- Diagnosis of ADEM is primarily based on clinical presentation and MRI evidence of demyelination, excluding other causes of acute encephalopathy.
- Retrospective patient studies have focused on clinical and neuroimaging characteristics to establish diagnostic criteria.
- Literature review of existing studies on ADEM in children.
Main Results:
- ADEM is typically self-limiting, with the highest incidence in childhood.
- Diagnostic difficulties arise in distinguishing relapsing ADEM from MS and NMO due to overlapping features.
- High-dose steroid treatment generally leads to a favorable long-term prognosis for functional and cognitive recovery in ADEM patients.
Conclusions:
- ADEM is a significant pediatric CNS inflammatory demyelinating disease.
- Accurate diagnosis requires careful clinical evaluation and neuroimaging, especially when considering relapsing forms.
- Established consensus definitions for monophasic and relapsing ADEM aid in classification and management.
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