Which disease is characterized by patches of demyelination in the nervous system?

Multiple sclerosis is characterized by patches of demyelination in the nervous system, which occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective myelin sheath covering nerve fibers. This demyelination disrupts the communication between the brain and the rest of the body, leading to a wide variety of neurological symptoms that can vary in severity and duration. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis may include fatigue, difficulty walking, numbness, and problems with coordination and balance.

In contrast, the other conditions listed have different pathophysiological mechanisms. Parkinson's disease primarily affects movement control due to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain but does not involve demyelination. Muscular dystrophy results in progressive weakness and degeneration of skeletal muscles but is not associated with demyelination in the nervous system. Similarly, Alzheimer's disease is characterized by neurodegeneration and the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tangles in the brain, which are distinct from the demyelinating process seen in multiple sclerosis.