Myelin Sheath Disorder

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By Caryn Anderson
eHow Contributing Writer

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Your myelin sheath is composed of protective layers of fatty tissues that surround your brain and line your nerve fibers. Various myelin sheath disorders include multiple sclerosis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, adrenoleukodystrophy and adrenomyeloneuropathy, Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy and tropical spastic paraparesis.

Multiple Sclerosis

The most common myelin sheath disorder is multiple sclerosis, a condition in which patches of your myelin sheath in your brain, spinal cord and eyes are either heavily damaged or completely destroyed.

Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis

This rare inflammatory condition affects nerves in your spinal cord and brain. It usually emerges after you have suffered a viral infection.

Adrenoleukodystrophy and Adrenomyeloneuropathy

These rare inherited metabolic disorders affect young boys. Adrenoleukodystrophy affects boys between 4 and 8 years old while adrenomyeloneuropathy affects boys in adolescence. Both are characterized by damage to the myelin sheath accompanied by dysfunction of the adrenal gland.

Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy

Demyelination (damage to the myelin sheath) in this disorder results in partial blindness. It is more common in males and usually emerges from age 15 to 35.

Tropical Spastic Paraparesis.

Often referred to as HTLV-associated myelopathy because it is caused by an infection of HTLV (human T-cell lymphotropic virus) tropical spastic paraparesis progressively worsens and affects the myelin sheath in the spinal cord.