Autoimmune Disorders of the Brain & Nervous System

Such disorders occur when the body’s immune system attacks the brain, spinal cord and/or the nerves of the trunk, arms and legs. They usually cause damage to the myelin sheath that protects the nerves, causing them to lose the ability to transmit signals, for either sensation or movement.

Examples of central nervous systems diseases (affecting the brain and spinal column) are multiple sclerosis (MS) and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM).

Examples of peripheral nervous system diseases (affecting the trunk, arms and legs) are myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, idiopathic polymyositis, dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis.