demyelinating

adjective

de·​my·​e·​lin·​at·​ing (ˌ)dē-ˈmī-ə-lə-ˌnā-tiŋ 

: causing or characterized by the loss or destruction of myelin

demyelinating diseases

a demyelinating agent

demyelination

(ˌ)dē-ˌmī-ə-lə-ˈnā-shən 

noun

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

demyelinating

adjective

de·​my·​elin·​at·​ing (ˈ)dē-ˈmī-ə-lə-ˌnāt-iŋ 

: causing or characterized by the loss or destruction of myelin

Exacerbations of demyelinating diseases such as optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis have occurred …

—Mark Lebwohl, Scientific American Medicine

There are hereditary demyelinating neuropathies that are associated with multiorgan and central nervous system dysfunction.

—Howard W. Sander et al., The New England Journal of Medicine