What Is Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy?

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a rare viral disorder that affects your brain. The disease is most common in people who have compromised immune systems, such as those who have AIDS, are undergoing cancer treatment or are taking immunosuppressant or corticosteroid medications, reports the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS).

Features

• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) causes the protective covering of brain cells known as myelin to break down over time.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy include headaches, lack of coordination, clumsiness, loss of language ability, memory loss, blurred vision and weakness of your arms and legs.

Time Frame

• Approximately 50 percent of AIDS patients and 80 percent of other patients die of PML within six months of diagnosis, according to NINDS.

Diagnosis

• Doctors rely upon diagnostic imaging tests such as CT scans, MRIs and EEGs to diagnose progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, reports the Merck Medical Manual.

Treatment

• The most common treatment for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is antiviral medications such as cidofovir. These medications are more effective in patients with AIDS than in others, which accounts for the higher mortality rate among other types of patients.