Contents


*and Venugopal Pavithra*


Preface

Demyelination disorders are among the most frequent neurological conditions that affect either the central or the peripheral structures of the nervous system or non-rarely both of them. These disorders have a multifactorial causative background and result in serious physical incapacity. They induce suffering, physical inability, and psychological and mental distress in millions of patients worldwide, increasing socioeconomic burden and negatively affecting patient quality of life. The most common type of central demyelination disease is multiple sclerosis (MS), which remains an unsolved problem in the field of neurosciences with a mosaic of clinical

Many factors cause the complicated etiological pattern of demyelinating diseases, some of which are innate and some of which are exogenous. Among the innate causes, genetic factors play a dominant role in the majority of cases of central demyelination [1] as well as in a considerable number of peripheral ones. Among a large number of exogenous agents are viral infections, dietary habits, smoking, obesity, physical or psychological trauma, latitudinal gradient and climate of a country, and ultraviolet light exposure. Genetic predispositions affecting autoimmune reactions, which are mostly mediated by T and B cells, play the most substantial role in the dramatic course and conclusion of the disease. Current therapeutic protocols are scheduled based on the autoimmune character of MS, attempting to control the activation of lymphocytes and the many cellular interactions characteristic of the

In this volume, the authors analyze many aspects of demyelination from clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic points of view. They describe the role of Schwann cells in the periphery and that of pericytes in the brain using experimental models, which offer the possibility of close observation and detailed study of the morphological alterations and pathogenetic mechanisms of demyelination and

The multiform clinical manifestations of MS have a global character involving the physical, psychological, and mental aspects of the patients' life. The first chapter [3], discusses depression in patients with demyelination disease [4]. Rarely in serious cases, depression may be associated with suicidal ideation [5], whereas in the majority of cases it is related to anxiety, phobic phenomena, or even panic disorders that are proportional to the physical inability of the patients. On the contrary, some patients show emotional inertia, apathy, or absence of interest for the course of the disease. Many patients neglect environmental conditions and show behavioral changes, including euphoria [6], which might be attributed to the

In Chapter 2, the authors discuss the non-pharmacological treatment of MS. The authors suggest that physiotherapy is a crucial and effective measure for increasing neuroplasticity and thus enabling the patient to retain functional independence. Physical education and exercises [7] may generally increase the concentration

gradual degeneration of the frontal or prefrontal areas of the brain.

manifestations and a long labyrinth of therapeutic approach.

disease [2].

remyelination.
