Pathology · single question
A disease that affects Oligodendrocytes — what is its origin?
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Correct answer: A. Autoimmune
Autoimmune (A). The primary disease affecting oligodendrocytes is Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which is an autoimmune demyelinating disease. The immune system (T cells, B cells) attacks myelin sheaths produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS, causing demyelination plaques.
• Oligodendrocytes = the myelinating cells of the CNS (compare: Schwann cells myelinate PNS).
• MS dental relevance: trigeminal neuralgia-like pain (demyelination of trigeminal root), facial palsy, dysarthria. May require modified dental positioning and shorter appointments.
• Other demyelinating conditions: ADEM (acute disseminated encephalomyelitis), neuromyelitis optica — also autoimmune.
• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is viral (JC virus) but less commonly tested.
• Oligodendrocytes = the myelinating cells of the CNS (compare: Schwann cells myelinate PNS).
• MS dental relevance: trigeminal neuralgia-like pain (demyelination of trigeminal root), facial palsy, dysarthria. May require modified dental positioning and shorter appointments.
• Other demyelinating conditions: ADEM (acute disseminated encephalomyelitis), neuromyelitis optica — also autoimmune.
• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is viral (JC virus) but less commonly tested.