Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of demyelination?

Demyelination refers to the process of losing the protective covering, or myelin sheath, that surrounds nerve fibers. This condition is fundamentally detrimental to the conduction of electrical signals along the nerves. The correct answer identifies that increased nerve signal speed is not a characteristic of demyelination.

In fact, the loss of myelin actually slows down nerve signal transmission due to increased resistance and the need for signals to jump between nodes of Ranvier. As such, when demyelination occurs, it typically leads to decreased signaling speed, not an increase.

Conversely, the other choices describe well-known effects of demyelination. The weakness of the affected muscle is a direct consequence of impaired signal transmission from the central nervous system to the muscles. Loss of coordination arises because disrupted signaling can hinder the brain's ability to process and integrate movement commands. Sensory disturbances can occur as well, as demyelination affects the pathways that convey sensory information, leading to symptoms such as numbness or tingling in the affected areas. Thus, the selection clearly outlines an essential misconception about the effects of demyelination on nerve signal speed.