PsychologyAugust 10, 2026

neuromyelitis

NOO-roh-my-uh-LY-tis

Definition

An autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system that specifically targets and damages the myelin sheaths and cells of the optic nerves and spinal cord.

Etymology

Derived from Greek roots: 'neuro-' (nerve), 'myelo-' (marrow/spinal cord), and the suffix '-itis' (inflammation). It was coined to describe the characteristic inflammation of the spinal cord and optic nerves.

In the news

The article references neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder as a clinical example of a condition where autoantibodies selectively destroy astrocytes, necessitating the study of regenerative cell repair.

Regenerative Astrocytes Repair Brain Damage

Read the full article ↗

Neuroscience News

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