$Unique_ID{BRK03512}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Balo Disease}
$Subject{Balo Disease Concentric Sclerosis Encephalitis Periaxialis
Concentrica Leukoencephalitis Periaxialis Concentrica}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1986, National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

122:
Balo Disease

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Balo Disease) is not
the name you expected.  Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.

Synonyms

     Concentric Sclerosis
     Encephalitis Periaxialis Concentrica
     Leukoencephalitis Periaxialis Concentrica

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section.


Balo disease is a degenerative condition of the brain characterized by
progressive spastic paralysis, and various other neurological symptoms
depending on which parts of the brain are affected.  The disease affects
children of both sexes; it may progress rapidly over several weeks, or two to
three years.  The cause is unknown.

Symptoms

Balo disease appears in childhood.  The child gradually becomes spastic and
paralyzed.  Other symptoms are also neurological, and depend on the areas of
the brain involved.  Intellectual functions, coordination, and regulation of
certain physiologic functions may be impaired.

The areas of degeneration can be localized in any part of the brain
(e.g., the cerebral hemispheres, the cerebellum, and the brainstem).  They
consist of irregular patches in concentric circles, and are characterized by
the destruction of myelin, an "insulating" material which surrounds the axons
(nerve fibers) of the individual neurons.

Causes

The cause of Balo disease is unknown.  It may be an unusual form of
Schilder's disease, a more severe form of brain demyelinization.  (The causes
of this condition are not known, either.)  Autoimmunity may be involved, or a
virus infection with a very long latent period ("slow virus") may be
responsible.

Affected Population

Balo disease affects children of both sexes.

Related Disorders

Balo disease may be an unusual form of Schilder's disease, characterized by
demyelinization (destruction of the insulating myelin sheath surrounding
nerve cells) of large areas of the brain.  Schilder's Disease differs in the
way the demyelinization progresses and is more severe than Balo disease.

Therapies:  Standard

There is no known treatment for Balo disease at present.  Care is supportive
and symptomatic.

Therapies:  Investigational

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through April
1989.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.  Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Balo Disease, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     (203) 746-6518

     NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke (NINDS)
     9000 Rockville Pike
     Bethesda, MD  20892
     (301) 496-5751
     (800) 352-9424

References

CECIL TEXTBOOK OF MEDICINE, 18th ed.:  James B. Wyngaarden, and Lloyd H.
Smith, Jr., Eds.:  W. B. Saunders Co., 1988.  P. 1889.