Gourt > Health > Conditions and Diseases > Neurological Disorders > Demyelinating Diseases > Leukodystrophy (4)
Leukodystrophy refers to progressive degeneration of the white matter of the brain due to imperfect growth or development of the myelin sheath, the fatty covering that acts as an insulator around nerve fiber. Myelin, which lends its color to the white matter of the brain, is a complex substance made up of at least ten different chemicals. The leukodystrophies are a group of disorders that are caused by genetic defects in how myelin produces or metabolizes these chemicals. Each of the leukodystrophies is the result of a defect in the gene that controls one (and only one) of the chemicals.
Types
Specific leukodystrophies include (ICD-10 codes are provided where available):
- (E71.3) adrenoleukodystrophy
- (E75.2) metachromatic leukodystrophy
- (E75.2) Krabbe disease
- (E75.2) Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease
- Canavan disease
- childhood ataxia with central hypomyelination (CACH or vanishing white matter disease)
- Alexander disease
- (G60.1) Refsum disease
- cerebrotendineous xanthomatosis
How do you get leukodystrophy?
Leukodystrophies are mostly inherited disorders, meaning that it is passed on from parent to child. They may be inherited in a recessive, dominant, or X-linked manner, depending on the type of leukodystrophy. The individual pages on each leukodystrophy will describe the particular pattern of inheritance for that disease. There is also a separate fact sheet describing the different genetic inheritance patterns available from the United Leukodystrophy Foundation. More on [ Leukodystrophy ]
Genetic Disorders
Causes :: Mental Retardation
Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Share Genetic Roots
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:45:00 -0400
A trio of genome-wide studies -- collectively the largest to date -- have pinpointed a vast array of genetic variation that cumulatively may account for at least one third of the genetic risk for schizophrenia. One of the studies traced schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, in part, to the same chromosomal neighborhoods.
Imaging Technique Allows Researchers to Monitor Protein Changes in Mouse Tumors
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:05:00 -0400
A new imaging technique can monitor, in living mice, the HER2 protein found in above-normal amounts in many cases of breast cancer as well as some ovarian, prostate and lung cancers. This new approach, once validated in mice and pending further experiments, could provide a real-time noninvasive method for identifying tumors in humans who express HER2 and who would be candidates for targeted therapy directed against this protein. It may also provide real-time information that will help clinicians optimize treatment for individual patients. The study, published in the July 2009 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, was conducted by researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, both parts of the National Institutes of Health.
Dynasty: Influenza Virus in 1918 and Today
Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:10:00 -0400
The influenza virus that wreaked worldwide havoc in 1918-1919 founded a viral dynasty that persists to this day, according to scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. In an article published online on June 29 by the New England Journal of Medicine, authors Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Jeffery K. Taubenberger, M.D., Ph.D., and David M. Morens, M.D., argue that we have lived in an influenza pandemic era since 1918, and they describe how the novel 2009 H1N1 virus now circling the globe is yet another manifestation of this enduring viral family.
CNN.com - Health
Police: Hospital worker swiped shots, spread hep C
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:18:42 -0400
A former hospital employee may have exposed hundreds or thousands of surgical patients to hepatitis C when she replaced clean needles filled with the powerful painkiller fentanyl with her own dirty needles filled with saline solution.
Health.com picks top beach, lake getaways
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:47:40 -0400
We know your summer vacation time is precious: You want to land where you can truly relax, breathe fresh air, get in some exercise and eat well -- without breaking the bank. That's why we teamed up with a panel of travel and health experts to help us find the healthiest of the nation's most popular beach and lake towns.
Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome - News, descriptions, contacts, and other information concerning this leukodystrophy.
Meta Description: [ Website about Aicard-Goutières syndrome for families ! ]
Alexander Disease - Information sheet compiled by NINDS, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Meta Description: [ Alexander Disease information sheet compiled by NINDS. ]
Devoted to Brianna - Medical experiences and terminology helpful for parents to understand and cope with genetic disorders. One little girl's story, concerning Canavan Leukodystrophy offers help and hope to many.
Dylan Samuel Freeman - Dylan has a very rare neurological disorder, Alexanders disease (Leukodystrophy). His story, his progress, and photographs.
Family Village / Library / Leukodystrophy - Resources on Adrenoleukodystrophy, Alexander Disease, Canavan Disease, Krabbes Disease, Metachromatic Leukodystrophy, and Refsum's Disease.
Joe Johnson and the Call Again Soon BBS - Directed at making life better for people affected by Leukodystrophy and those who know and love them.
Leukodystrophy - CHORUS document on the different types of Leukodystrophy. A little technical.
Meta Description: [ a CHORUS notecard document about leukodystrophy ]
Leukodystrophy - A short information sheet compiled by NINDS, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Meta Description: [ Leukodystrophy information sheet compiled by NINDS. ]
MCW HealthLink - Alexander Disease - Information sheet from the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Meta Description: [ Alexander disease is a rare, genetic, degenerative disorder of the nervous system. ]
Undiagnosed Leukodystrophy - Lauren's homepage, a six year old from Melbourne, Australia with an as yet undiagnosed neurological condition thought to be genetic.
United Leukodystrophy Foundation - Nonprofit, voluntary health organization dedicated to providing patients and their families with information about their disease and assistance in their health.
Meta Description: [ United Leukodystrophy Foundation: The leukodystrophies are = genetically
determined progressive disorders that affect the brain, = spinal cord and
peripheral nerves. The term leukodystrophy derives from = the Greek words
"leuko" meaning white and referrin ]
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