|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash Counts makingcontact.org
Subscribe to the Contact a Family Directory 
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
Alexander disease
Background
Alexander disease: Alexander Leukodystrophy
Alexander disease is a rare genetic, degenerative disorder of the nervous system with effects on the mid brain and cerebellum; in the most common infantile form of the disease, the frontal white matter is involved. It is one of a group of genetic disorders called the leukodystrophies. The term leukodystrophy comes from the Greek words, ‘leuko’ meaning white and referring to the ‘white matter’ of the nervous system and ‘dystrophy’ meaning imperfect growth or development. In Alexander disease, the growth of the white matter of the brain, or myelin sheath, is affected. The brain stem in particular may be involved in rare adult forms of the condition resulting in unusual signs such as palatal myoclonus (flapping movement of the palate), limb paralysis and clumsy movements. Cerebellar disease is also known to occur.
