THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE DEMYELINATING DISEASES TO ALLERGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS

Abstract

An analytical review of exptl. attempts to produce CNS demyelination through parenteral injn. of emulsions and/or extracts of nervous tissue. The literature since 1920 is reviewed, and its significance discussed. That a specific antibody to brain develops in response to injn. of brain substance has more clearly been shown by complement-fixation and precipitin tests. The more potent antigenicity of white matter over gray is discussed, and the relationship of antigenic potency to myelin content noted. Evidence in favor of the organ specific antigenic property of brain reviewed. The conflicting evidence pertinent to serol. studies in clinical demyelinating diseases is cited. It is concluded that experimentally induced demyelination in animals brought about by the parenteral injn. of brain prepns. is an allergic reaction and that this condition is probably related to allergic encephalomyelitis seen in humans complicating Pasteur therapy or other acute encephalomy-elitic reactions. A nexus between this reaction and the primary remitting demyelinating disease, multiple slcerosis has not yet been established clinically or experimentally.