Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

Also known as: CMT disease, CMT, hereditary neuropathy, hereditary motor and sensor neuropathy, HMSN

What is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease?

Of the inherited nerve disorders, Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome is one of the most common. It impacts the peripheral nerves, which are the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It impacts 1 in every 2,500 people in the US and is named for the three doctors who discovered the disorder.

What causes Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease?

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a genetic disorder caused by problems with the body’s genes. In many cases, the condition is hereditary and passed long from parents to their children.

What are the symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease?

Muscle weakness, difficulty with movement, pain, numbness, tingling and other symptoms can occur with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

How can Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease affect children?

Though the genetic mutations that cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome are present in children at birth, the symptoms of the disease typically appear later in life. Symptoms commonly appear during adolescence or early adulthood.

What are Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease treatments?

Treatment is focused on managing symptoms and helping people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome live the best life possible. This can include medication, bracing, surgery and physical therapy, among other treatments.

Reviewed by: Migvis Monduy, MD

This page was last updated on: September 24, 2019 10:32 AM