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Living with Charcot-Marie-tooth disease, axonal, type 2DD

A rare inherited nerve condition that causes weakness and muscle wasting, mostly in the hands and feet.

Understanding Charcot-Marie-tooth disease, axonal, type 2DD

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, axonal, type 2DD is a rare inherited nerve condition affecting both movement and feeling.

It mainly causes weakness and wasting in the muscles farthest from the center of the body, weak or absent reflexes, and less sense of vibration in the arms and legs. Many people develop high foot arches. People usually keep walking, even late in the disease. It starts anywhere from childhood to adulthood, and earlier onset tends to mean more severe disease.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list a separate symptom list for this condition. Its summary describes these features:

  • Weakness and wasting in the hands and feet
  • Weak or absent tendon reflexes
  • Less sense of vibration
  • High foot arches (pes cavus)
  • Poor balance (ataxia) or tremor in some people
  • Trouble swallowing in some people

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 and genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in ATP1A1 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

    The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Expert lists: The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy
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 CMT Research Foundation 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
Can ATP1A1 genetic testing confirm the diagnosis?
What braces or therapy can help with walking and foot shape?
Could swallowing problems develop, and how are they watched?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startfrom Childhood to Adulthood
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant
GenesATP1A1

Changes in the ATP1A1 gene cause this condition. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant way, so one changed copy of the gene can cause it.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: atp1a1 (atpase na+/k+ transporting subunit alpha 1) related autosomal dominant charcot-marie-tooth disease type 2; atp1a1-related autosomal dominant charcot-marie-tooth disease type 2; atp1a1-related cmt2; autosomal dominant charcot-marie-tooth disease type 2dd; charcot-marie-tooth neuropathy, type 2dd; cmt2dd

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Charcot-Marie-tooth disease, axonal, type 2DDGARD ID 17959 · 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 Charcot-Marie-tooth disease, axonal, type 2DD.

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