Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM): Review

Weekly Neurology Deep Dive - A review of recent impactful publications in the field of Neurology · Mar 1, 2026 · 14m

This review examines acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), a rare immune-mediated disorder characterized by widespread inflammation and demyelination in the central nervous system. Primarily affecting children, ADEM often follows an infectious or vaccine-related trigger, likely initiated by molecular mimicry where the immune system mistakenly attacks host myelin. The sources outline a broad range of potential causes, including viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, as well as rare instances linked to vaccinations or organ transplants. Diagnosis relies heavily on magnetic resonance…