secondary demyelination

Secondary demyelination occurs when axons are damaged, leading to the loss of the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers. This is distinct from primary demyelination, where the myelin itself is the initial target. In secondary demyelination, the damage to the Schwann cells, which produce myelin in the peripheral nervous system, is a consequence of axonal injury. This loss of myelin disrupts the conduction of nerve impulses along the axon. While the exact causes of demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis are not fully understood, genetics and environmental factors are thought to play a role.123