Leukoencephalopathy
Overview[edit | edit source]
Leukoencephalopathy refers to a group of disorders characterized by the degeneration of the white matter in the brain. The term is derived from "leuko," meaning white, and "encephalopathy," meaning brain disease. These disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic mutations, infections, and exposure to toxic substances.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Leukoencephalopathy can result from several different causes:
- Genetic Disorders: Certain inherited conditions, such as metachromatic leukodystrophy and adrenoleukodystrophy, can lead to leukoencephalopathy.
- Infections: Viral infections, such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), caused by the JC virus, can damage the white matter.
- Toxic Exposure: Exposure to certain toxic substances, including some chemotherapeutic agents, can result in leukoencephalopathy.
- Vascular Causes: Conditions like subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy (Binswanger's disease) involve vascular changes that affect the white matter.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The symptoms of leukoencephalopathy vary depending on the underlying cause and the extent of white matter damage. Common symptoms include:
- Cognitive decline
- Motor dysfunction
- Behavioral changes
- Seizures
- Visual disturbances
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of leukoencephalopathy typically involves:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI is the primary tool used to visualize changes in the white matter.
- Genetic Testing: For hereditary forms, genetic testing can identify specific mutations.
- Blood Tests: These can help rule out infectious causes or metabolic disorders.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for leukoencephalopathy depends on the underlying cause:
- Genetic Disorders: Management may involve supportive care and, in some cases, bone marrow transplantation.
- Infections: Antiviral medications may be used for viral causes like PML.
- Toxic Exposure: Discontinuation of the offending agent and supportive care.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for individuals with leukoencephalopathy varies widely. Some forms, particularly those that are genetic, may have a progressive course, while others may stabilize with treatment.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
