Your browser does not support javascript:   Search for gard here,  Search for news-and-events here.

Recursos en español
ORDR Home Help FAQ Contact Us

Diseases

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD)

Print friendly version

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Other Names for this Disease
  • Charcot Marie Tooth disease
  • CMT
  • Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy
  • HMSN
More Names
Related Diseases
More Related Diseases
See Disclaimer regarding information on this site. Some links on this page may take you to organizations outside of the National Institutes of Health.

Overview


Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a group of disorders that affect the peripheral nerves, the nerves running from outside the brain and spine.[1] Defects in at least 30 genes cause different forms of this disease. Common symptoms may include foot drop, foot deformity, loss of lower leg muscle, numbness in the foot or leg, “slapping" gait (feet hit the floor hard when walking), and weakness of the hips, legs, or feet.[1] There is currently no cure for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, but physical therapy, occupational therapy, braces and other orthopedic devices, pain medication, and orthopedic surgery can help manage and improve symptoms.[2]

There are over 40 types of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. You can search for more information on a particular type of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease from the GARD Home page. Enter the name of the condition in the GARD search box, and then select the type from the drop down menu.

References

  1. Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease. MedlinePlus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000727.htm. Accessed July 23, 2010.
  2. Charcot-Marie-Tooth Fact Sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/charcot_marie_tooth/detail_charcot_marie_tooth.htm#102833092. Accessed July 23, 2010.
Your Questions Answered
by the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center

5 question(s) from the public on Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease have been answered. See questions and answers. You can also submit a new question.
On this page

General Information

  • Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Click on the link to go to GHR and review the information.
  • The Muscular Dystrophy Association has deveopled an information page titled "Surgery Sometimes, Bracing Often, Caution Always: Caring for the CMT-affected foot." Click on Muscular Dystrophy Association to view this information page.
  • MedlinePlus, a Web site designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, provides more information about this topic. Click on the link to view this information.
  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. Click on the link to view this information. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library provides information on this condition. Click on the link to view the information.
  • MeSH® (Medical Subject Headings) is a terminology tool used by the National Library of Medicine. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) was established in 1988 as a national resource for molecular biology information.  Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • The National Human Genome Research Institute's (NHGRI) mission encompasses a broad range of studies aimed at understanding the structure and function of the human genome and its role in health and disease. Click on the link to view the information page on this topic.
  • The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) collects and disseminates research information related to neurological disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs.  Access to this database is free of charge.  Click on the link to read information on this topic.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.