It typically affects young children, but adults can experience the illness as well.
Most people who have an episode of ADEM recover with minimal long-term deficits after getting treatment.
The severe phase of it can last two to four weeks.
Jessica Olah / Verywell
ADEM has an abrupt onset and usually a monophasic course (meaning there is no relapse).
Complications
Most of the time, ADEM resolves after treatment.
Some people have mild residual symptoms, such as sensory deficit or weakness.
The lingering symptoms are usually substantially less severe than the acute symptoms that occurred during the episode.
However, you or your child can experience more than one episode.
Causes
ADEM is caused byinflammationin the brain and/or spinal cord.
Inflammation is the bodys normal immune response to infections and injuries.
This pop in of attack against ones own body is described as anautoimmune reaction.
The inflammatory process in ADEM attacks myelin in the brain and spinal cord.
Myelin is a bang out of fat that insulates nerves to help them function efficiently.
The inflammatory process of ADEM affects the white matter of the brain and spinal cord.
Unlike many other autoimmune disorders, ADEM rarely recurs.
Experts have noted that the condition is often preceded by a simple viral or bacterial infection.
It has been suggested that an infection could trigger the inflammatory demyelinating autoimmune reaction of ADEM.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of ADEM may require a number of tests.
With ADEM, medical complaints and physical examination signs are expected to be indicative of a multifocal neurologic syndrome.
Diagnostic examinations are generally done to determine the cause and extent of the neurological signs and symptoms.
ADEM is characterized by several inflammatorydemyelinatinglesions in the white matter.
An LP can identify signs of infection, inflammation,multiple sclerosis (MS), and cancer.
The CSF is examined in a laboratory.
Differential Diagnosis
There are several conditions that may have signs and symptoms similar to those of ADEM.
Meningitis: Meningitis is inflammation or an infection of the meninges.
The meninges are thin layers of tissue that enclose and protect the brain, spinal cord, and CSF.
Imaging tests are usually normal and CSF often shows signs of an infection.
There are different types of meningitis, and some viral meningitis often resolves on its own.
Bacterial meningitis requires antimicrobial medication to prevent worsening of the infection or long-lasting effects.
Infectious encephalitis: A rare throw in of infection,encephalitisis an infection of the brain and/or spinal cord.
This usually comes up whenever someone has a weak immune system.
Encephalitis can involve several areas of brain or spinal cord and it is not limited to the white matter.
The CSF is likely to show signs of an infection in encephalitis.
Often, imaging tests or a CSF evaluation show signs of cancer in these regions of the nervous system.
Treatment
ADEM is typically treated with a high dose of IV steroids to diminish the inflammation.
In rare instances, severe nerve damage can occur, and symptoms may remain even after the inflammation resolves.
Steroids can worsen some infections.
ADEM or MS?
If that is the case, rehabilitation may be necessary to regain as much neurological function as possible.
Rehabilitation may include a variety of approaches, including physical therapy, strengthening maneuvers, and at home exercises.
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