A-Z of Neurological Conditions

Related to/Also known as

Adrenoleukodystraphy (ALD)

Lorenzo's Oil disease

Description

The Leukodystrophies are a group of genetic disorders, which are generally diagnosed in childhood. Caused by a breakdown of the myelin sheath surrounding nerve cells in the brain. There are several forms, and the most common symptoms are a slowdown in mental and physical development

Types

Metachromatic leukodystrohy
Refsum's disease
Adrenoleukodysrophy
Krabbe's disease
Phenylketonuria
Canavan disease
Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease
Alexander's disease
Cerebrotendinous Zxanthomatosis (CTX)
Juvenile HD (also called Westphal variant or akinetic-rigid HD) develops before the age of 20, progresses rapidly, and produces muscle rigidity in which the patient moves little, if at all (akinesia).

Useful National contacts

The Myelin Project
Tel: 0161 292 3191
www.myelinproject.co.uk

Our resources

The library at Neurosupport has a range of reference resources on this condition and on a wide range of disability related issues.