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Atrophy

By Julie Stachowiak, Ph.D., About.com

Updated: January 07, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition: Progressive degeneration or shrinkage of muscle tissue or nerve tissue.

In multiple sclerosis (MS), two types of atrophy are common: brain atrophy (due to demyelination and destruction of nerve cells) and muscle atrophy (due to disuse of specific muscles).

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