Central core disease

Title

Other Names:

CCD; CCO; Central core disease of muscle; CCD; CCO; Central core disease of muscle; Muscle core disease; Muscular central core disease; Myopathy, central fibrillar; Myopathy, central core; Shy-Magee syndrome See More

Categories:

Congenital and Genetic Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Summary Summary

Central core disease (CCD) is an inherited condition that involves muscle weakness, skeletal abnormalities, and an increased chance of having a severe reaction to some anesthesia medications. Muscle weakness ranges from mild to severe and typically affects muscles in the trunk and upper legs, though muscles in the neck and face can also be affected.^[1]^[2] Skeletal abnormalities may include curving of the spine (scoliosis), dislocation of the hip, or restricted motion in certain joints (contractures). Some individuals with CCD have an increased chance of having a severe reaction to anesthesia, called malignant hyperthermia, which may cause muscle rigidity or break-down (rhabdomyolysis), a high fever, or a rapid heart beat.^[1]^[2] RYR1 is the only gene associated with CCD and clinical testing is available to look for disease-causing alterations in this gene known as mutations.^[2]

Last updated: 9/8/2011

Symptoms Symptoms

The Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) provides the following list of features that have been reported in people with this condition. Much of the information in the HPO comes from Orphanet, a European rare disease database. If available, the list includes a rough estimate of how common a feature is (its frequency). Frequencies are based on a specific study and may not be representative of all studies. You can use the MedlinePlus Medical Dictionary for definitions of the terms below.

Signs and Symptoms	Approximate number of patients (when available)
Muscular hypotonia	Very frequent (present in 80%-99% of cases)
Myopathy	Very frequent (present in 80%-99% of cases)
Nemaline bodies	Very frequent (present in 80%-99% of cases)
Type 1 muscle fiber predominance	Very frequent (present in 80%-99% of cases)
Malignant hyperthermia	Occasional (present in 5%-29% of cases)
Autosomal dominant inheritance	-
Autosomal recessive inheritance	-
Congenital hip dislocation	-
Fever	-
Flexion contracture	-
Generalized muscle weakness	-
Infantile onset	-
Kyphoscoliosis	-
Motor delay	-
Neonatal hypotonia	-
Nonprogressive	-
Pes planus	-
Phenotypic variability	-
Skeletal muscle atrophy	-
Slow progression	-

Last updated: 5/8/2017

Diagnosis Diagnosis

Because the symptoms of central core disease can be quite variable, a physical examination alone is often not enough to establish a diagnosis. A combination of the following examinations and testings can diagnosis this condition: a physical examination that confirms muscle weakness, a muscle biopsy that reveals a characteristic appearance of the muscle cells, and/or genetic testing that identifies a mutation in the RYR1.^[2]

Last updated: 9/8/2011

Testing Resources

The Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) provides information about the genetic tests for this condition. The intended audience for the GTR is health care providers and researchers. Patients and consumers with specific questions about a genetic test should contact a health care provider or a genetics professional.
Orphanet lists international laboratories offering diagnostic testing for this condition.

Treatment Treatment

Treatments for central core disease (CCD) depend on the symptoms experienced by each affected individual. When someone is first diagnosed with this condition, a physical examination is done to assess the extent and severity of muscle weakness, and physical therapy and occupational therapy assessments to determine which therapies might be most beneficial. Physical therapy, such as stretching or low-impact exercises, may help improve weakness. Some skeletal abnormalities can be addressed with physical therapy, though others may require surgery. As the muscle weakness and scoliosis associated with CCD can affect breathing, individuals diagnosed with this condition may benefit from pulmonary function tests. If breathing is significantly affected, breathing exercises or other breathing support treatments may be recommended.^[2] Another treatment option may be a medication called salbutamol, which was found to significantly increased muscle strength and stamina in six of eight children with CCD.^[3]

Last updated: 9/8/2011

Management Guidelines

GeneReviews provides current, expert-authored, peer-reviewed, full-text articles describing the application of genetic testing to the diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling of patients with specific inherited conditions.
Orphanet Emergency Guidelines is an article which is expert-authored and peer-reviewed that is intended to guide health care professionals in emergency situations involving this condition.
Project OrphanAnesthesia is a project whose aim is to create peer-reviewed, readily accessible guidelines for patients with rare diseases and for the anesthesiologists caring for them. The project is a collaborative effort of the German Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Orphanet, the European Society of Pediatric Anesthesia, anesthetists and rare disease experts with the aim to contribute to patient safety.

Prognosis Prognosis

People with central core disease (CCD) can have very different symptoms, ranging from no symptoms to being unable to walk without assistance. People with CCD tend not to experience any notable worsening of muscle weakness throughout most of their life, however there can be a slow but definite progression over the course of many years.[8288]

Last updated: 2/12/2015

Do you have updated information on this condition? Let us know.

Research Research

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are studying or have studied Central core disease. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.
Orphanet lists European clinical trials, research studies, and patient registries enrolling people with this condition.

Organizations Organizations

Nonprofit support and advocacy groups bring together patients, families, medical professionals, and researchers. These groups often raise awareness, provide support, and develop patient-centered information. Many are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct people to research, resources, and services. Many groups also have experts who serve as medical advisors. Visit their website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS)
1 North Main ST
PO Box 1069
Sherburne, NY 13460
Toll-free: 800-986-4287
Telephone: 607-674-7901
E-mail: info@mhaus.org
Website: http://www.mhaus.org/
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)
222 S Riverside Plaza
Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60606
Toll-free: 800-572-1717
TTY: 1-800-572-1717
E-mail: mda@mdausa.org
Website: http://www.mdausa.org/
Muscular Dystrophy UK
61A Great Suffolk Street
London SE1 0BU
United Kingdom
Telephone: 0800 652 6352; (+44) 0 020 7803 4800
E-mail: info@musculardystrophyuk.org
Website: http://www.musculardystrophyuk.org/

Do you know of an organization? Send us your suggestions.

Living With Living With

Living with a genetic or rare disease can impact the daily lives of patients and families. These resources can help families navigate various aspects of living with a rare disease.

Genetics Resources

To find a medical professional who specializes in genetics, you can ask your doctor for a referral or you can search for one yourself. Online directories are provided by GeneTests, the American College of Medical Genetics, and the National Society of Genetic Counselors. If you need additional help, contact a GARD Information Specialist. You can also learn more about genetic consultations from Genetics Home Reference.

Learn More Learn More

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Central core disease. This website is maintained by the National Library of Medicine.
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.
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

In-Depth Information

Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Central core disease. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

GARD Answers GARD Answers

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question

My granddaughter has CCD. I believe I have it as well. I have read that CCD does not worsen with time, however my muscle weakness has worsened. I am limited in movement without assistance or a walker. So, what is to be expected? See answer
After 34 years of living with central core disease, I just found out the name of this condition one month ago. My lower back doesn't seem to work, and I wonder if I will ever be able to walk up stairs or run. What type of treatment do I need? See answer

Have a question? Contact a GARD Information Specialist.

References References

Central core disease. Genetics Home Reference. October, 2007; http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/central-core-disease. Accessed 9/6/2011.
Malicdan MCV, Nishino I. Central Core Disease. GeneReviews. May 11, 2010; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1391/. Accessed 9/6/2011.
Messina S, Hartley L, Main M, Kinali M, Jungbluth H, Muntoni F, Mercuri E. Pilot trial of salbutamol in central core and multi-minicore diseases. Neuropediatrics. 2004; 35:262-266. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15534757. Accessed 9/8/2011.
Lamont PJ et al.,. Fifty year follow-up of a patient with central core disease shows slow but definite progression. Neuromuscul Disord. 1998; 8(6):385. Accessed 2/12/2015.