Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis: A review of the epidemiology, treatments, and outcomes

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is characterized as an immune-mediated, monophasic, polysymptomatic inflammatory disease that involves demyelinating lesions in the central nervous system (CSN) white matter that is seen after to a systemic infection or vaccination. ADEM is seen mainly in children, with lower incidence in adults. Quick diagnosis is necessary to provide treatment to improve the patient’s long-term outcomes. Due to low incidences of ADEM, there is a lack of diagnostic criteria for physicians to utilize. This review aims to investigate the disease itself, the prevalence of it, potential treatments, genetic and environmental causes, and the long-term prognosis of pediatric and adult patients