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Living with ANE syndrome

A rare genetic condition with hair loss, intellectual disability, late-onset movement decline, and low pituitary hormones.

Understanding ANE syndrome

ANE syndrome is a rare genetic condition that affects the nervous system, hormones, and skin.

It involves hair loss of varying degree, moderate to severe intellectual disability, and movement problems that worsen with age. The front of the pituitary gland is underdeveloped and doesn't make enough hormones, which can cause delayed or absent puberty, short height, and low adrenal hormones. Other features include missing teeth, dark skin patches in folds, a small head, and curved spine.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Hair loss (alopecia)
  • Delayed puberty
  • Low testosterone level
  • Low adrenal hormones (adrenal insufficiency)
  • Small head size (microcephaly)
  • Delayed bone maturation

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists, genetic specialists, hormone specialists and maternal-fetal medicine specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in RBM28 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    Resolve: The National Infertility Association and Pituitary Network Association may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Hormone specialists (endocrinologists); Maternal-fetal medicine specialists (pregnancy-related)
Expert care
Expert lists: Resolve: The National Infertility Association, Pituitary Network Association
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with Resolve: The National Infertility Association and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Is genetic testing for RBM28 available for our family?
Which hormone tests and replacements are needed?
Which specialists, such as an endocrinologist, should be on my care team?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startAdult
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesRBM28

Changes in the RBM28 gene cause this condition. A child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent (autosomal recessive).

GeneticNeurologicalEndocrineSkinUrinary and Reproductive

Also known as: alopecia-progressive neurological defect-endocrinopathy syndrome; alopecia, progressive neurological defect, endocrinopathy syndrome; ane (alopecia, progressive neurological defect, endocrinopathy) syndrome

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · ANE syndromeGARD ID 16987 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with ANE syndrome.

Explore the ANE syndrome blog

Explore research for ANE syndrome

Explore actively recruiting ANE syndrome studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for ANE syndrome with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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