Central pontine myelinolysis

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Central nervous system

Central pontine myelinolysis is nerve damage caused by the destruction of the layer (myelin sheath) covering nerve cells in the brainstem (pons).

CPM

The destruction of the myelin sheath that coats nerve cells prevents signals from being properly conducted within the nerve. This decreases its ability to communicate with other cells. The most common cause of central pontine myelinolysis is a rapid, drastic change in sodium levels in the body. Most commonly, this occurs when someone is being treated for low levels of sodium (hyponatremia) and the levels rise too fast. It also can occasionally occur when high levels of sodium in the body (hypernatremia) are corrected too quickly.

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This condition does not occur on its own. It is a complication of treatment for other conditions or the other conditions themselves.

People at risk include those with low sodium levels from any cause, alcoholism, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, general ill health, and malnutrition associated with serious illnesses.

Review Date: 09/10/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.