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What Does Nonspecific White Matter Change, Atypical For Demyelination Mean?

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Posted on Fri, 19 Apr 2013
Question: hi there what does non-specific white matter changes, atypical for demyelination mean?
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Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (5 hours later)
Hello,

Thanks for the query.

Brain is made of grey matter and white matter. White matter refers to the connective tissues found inside the brain, while nonspecific white matter or white matter changes refer to a condition in which these tissues change for no known reason. 

There are many neurological disorders which may impact the white matter, including most causes of dementia, multiple sclerosis/demyelination or ischemic conditions. As reported on scan the current white matter changes are not typical representatives of demyelination/multiple sclerosis. As they are non specific, the exact cause is unknown.

That being said, in the absence of clinical symptoms, such non specific white matter changes would not concern your treating doctor. However your doctor may order a few test to relate them to few known conditions including vascular blocks/ischemia.

If the white matter disease of the brain represents ischemic white matter disease it may be prudent to address vascular risk factors such as better control of hypertension and diabetes, lowering the cholesterol and advising the patient to stop smoking.

Treatment for lesions and other changes will depend on the underlying condition and symptoms. And usually many such non specific changes do not need any treatment.

I hope it helps; however you may revert to me for any further query.

Best of luck

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1978

Answered : 6704 Questions

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What Does Nonspecific White Matter Change, Atypical For Demyelination Mean?

Hello,

Thanks for the query.

Brain is made of grey matter and white matter. White matter refers to the connective tissues found inside the brain, while nonspecific white matter or white matter changes refer to a condition in which these tissues change for no known reason. 

There are many neurological disorders which may impact the white matter, including most causes of dementia, multiple sclerosis/demyelination or ischemic conditions. As reported on scan the current white matter changes are not typical representatives of demyelination/multiple sclerosis. As they are non specific, the exact cause is unknown.

That being said, in the absence of clinical symptoms, such non specific white matter changes would not concern your treating doctor. However your doctor may order a few test to relate them to few known conditions including vascular blocks/ischemia.

If the white matter disease of the brain represents ischemic white matter disease it may be prudent to address vascular risk factors such as better control of hypertension and diabetes, lowering the cholesterol and advising the patient to stop smoking.

Treatment for lesions and other changes will depend on the underlying condition and symptoms. And usually many such non specific changes do not need any treatment.

I hope it helps; however you may revert to me for any further query.

Best of luck