Genetic Disorder-Charcot Marie-Tooth Disease

In 1886, three French doctors came to discover the genetic disorder known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease. This disease is named after the three doctors, Jean-Marie Charcot, Pierre Marie, and Howard Tooth. In short C.M.T. is one of the most common inherited neurological disorders. This illness is targeted to affect the nervous system. There are many possible symptoms a patient is likely to face. For example, weakness of the foot and lower leg muscle and foot deformities is likely to occur. Progression of symptoms is gradual. Down the road, muscle atrophy in the hands and sensory loss can arise if something is not done. Unfortunately, there is no cure for CMT. However, physical therapy can improve on patient’s symptoms. Orthopedic devices may aid one’s pain. Pain Killers prescribed to a patient’s needs. A person can fully live their normal expectancy with CMT. This isn’t a very common disease yet approximately 1 in 2,500 people in the United States are affected. Adolescence or early adulthood is the time, which the disease is likely to come up. Symptoms on the other hand appear in mid-adulthood. CMT is genetic disorder and occurs in the peripheral nerve. The NINDS foundation is supporting CMT research. They are identifying mutant genes and proteins and gene therapy experiments hoping to find a better treatment. Scientists have come far with the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease. I believe it is unfair how some people may get this disease, however, its is great that one does not have to fret that their life is shortened. All in all, the Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a genetic disorder which some must live with every day.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/charcot_marie_tooth/charcot_marie_tooth.htm