Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 1a
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) is a type of inherited neurological disorder that affects the peripheral nerves. People with this disease experience weakness and wasting (atrophy) of the muscles of the lower legs beginning in adolescence; later they can also have hand weakness and sensory loss. In CMT1A, abnormal nerve conduction studies can be found in babies or toddlers, but the symptoms that are characteristic of the disease may not occur until 20 years of age or later. CMT1A is caused by having an extra copy (a duplication) of the PMP22 gene. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Treatment for this condition may include physical therapy; occupational therapy; braces and other orthopedic devices; orthopedic surgery; and pain medications. The severity and degree of disability varies very much among the affected people.