What condition is characterized by damage to the myelin sheath in the central nervous system?

Multiple sclerosis is characterized by damage to the myelin sheath in the central nervous system. This condition is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin, which is a protective covering that surrounds nerve fibers. The loss of myelin disrupts communication between nerve cells, leading to a variety of neurological symptoms, including weakness, numbness, coordination problems, and difficulties with vision and balance.

In contrast, Guillain-Barré syndrome primarily affects the peripheral nervous system and is also an autoimmune condition but does not involve the central nervous system. Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that results from the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain and does not involve myelin damage. Huntington's disease is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive neurodegeneration primarily affecting motor function and cognition, without the direct involvement of demyelination in the central nervous system.