Warning Signs Of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy

Coordination Problems

Coordination problems can present with patients that have progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy because of several different reasons. The difficulty most often occurs as a result of PML attacking the cerebellum, which is in the lower back part of the brain. The cerebellum has the responsibility of keeping a person balanced, facilitating their posture, and coordinating most muscle movements. In addition, problems with coordination can manifest when PML attacks the motor strip located in the frontal lobe of the cerebrum. The parietal lobe also is responsible for motor signals and damage to that component may cause poor coordination. When PML attacks the portion of the cerebrum responsible for fine movement control, the individual can experience coordination problems in the hands, feet, and toes. Lastly, the basal ganglia is another part of the brain that coordinates the body's fine movements that can also be affected by the damage this condition causes. The areas of the brain affected by PML lesions often have permanent damage because central nervous system cells do not re-myelinate or form new white matter.

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Sensory Loss

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy has no usual course to run, as each patient is affected in different parts of the brain and there is no way to predict where that will be. Sensory loss refers to the partial or full loss of one or more of the five senses. Loss of vision can occur with PML when the disease attacks the part of the brain attached to the optical nerve, or the nerve connecting the eyes to the brain. Depending on which and what part of the optical nerve is affected, vision loss can occur in one or both eyes. Hearing loss may occur if the disease affects the part of the brain where the auditory nerve and cochlea are located. The mechanoreceptors are special nerve cells that are supposed to receive sound vibrations, however, damage from PML can interfere with this process leading to hearing loss. The inability to perceive smell is called anosmia. The olfactory nerve is the nerve that sends the brain signals of smell, and PML can cause damage to this nerve resulting in the loss of the ability to smell. Loss of tactile reception or loss of the sense of touch in some areas of the body can occur when this condition affects the brain stem and part of the brain responsible for receiving transmissions of pain, warmth, cold, and heat that come from the nerves in the skin. Lastly, the loss of taste is called ageusia. PML can cause damage to the lingual nerve and the glossopharyngeal nerve which are responsible for taste signals.

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