Living with Carnosinemia
A rare metabolic condition that can cause no symptoms in some people and seizures and developmental problems in others.
Understanding Carnosinemia
People with this condition have carnosine in the blood and urine. Effects vary a lot. Some people have no symptoms. Others have severe developmental delay, intellectual disability, low muscle tone (hypotonia), seizures, and other nerve symptoms. It often starts in infancy.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Seizures with sudden muscle jerks (myoclonic seizures)
- Intellectual disability
- Loss of skills already learned (developmental regression)
- Low muscle tone (hypotonia)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include genetic specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- 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 rare disease patient organizations for support
- 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
Quick facts
GARD says changes in genes cause this condition. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive way, so a child inherits a changed copy of a gene from each parent.
Also known as: carnosinase deficiency
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Carnosinemia.
Explore research for Carnosinemia
Explore actively recruiting Carnosinemia studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Carnosinemia 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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