VWM


Leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter, an inherited brain disease that occurs mainly in children. and follows a chronic progressive course with additional episodes of rapid deterioration following stress from febrile infection or minor head trauma.

VWM is due to mutations in either of two genes — in either the EIF2B5 gene on chromosome 3q27 or the EIF2B2 gene on chromosome 14q24. These two genes encode the epsilon and beta subunits, respectively, of the translation initiation factor eIF2B. Since eIF2B plays an essential role in the regulation of translation under different conditions, including stress, this may explain the rapid deterioration in persons with VWM under stress.

The disease is also known as childhood ataxia with central nervous system hypomyelinization.

Read Also:

  • Vibramycin

    Brand name for doxycycline.

  • Viable

    Capable of life. For example, a viable premature baby is one who is able to survive outside the womb.

  • VHL

    Von Hippel-Lindau. See Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome.

  • Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia

    A chronic low-grade (indolent) type of lymphoma due to a malignant clone of plasma cells. These plasma cells multiply out of control, invade the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen, and characteristically produce huge amounts of a large-sized antibody called macroglobulin or IgM. The excess IgM causes the blood to be hyperviscous (to thicken). Waldenstrom […]

  • Walking pneumonia

    PubMed Health.com. Atypcial Pneumonia.


Disclaimer: VWM definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.