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Living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease axonal type 2N

A mild inherited nerve condition that causes slowly worsening loss of feeling and weakness in the lower legs.

Understanding Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease axonal type 2N

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease axonal type 2N is a mild form of axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a nerve disease affecting movement and feeling.

It causes loss of feeling and weakness in the lower legs, which can be uneven between sides. Knee reflexes are reduced and ankle reflexes are absent. Progress is slow. It can start at any time in life.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Weakness in the lower legs
  • Wasting of lower leg muscles
  • Loss of feeling in the lower legs
  • Absent ankle reflexes
  • Reduced reflexes

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 AARS1 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 AARS1 genetic testing confirm the diagnosis?
What therapy can help with leg strength?
How can I protect my feet if I have less feeling?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startany time in life
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant
GenesAARS1

Changes in the AARS1 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: aars charcot-marie-tooth disease type 2; autosomal dominant axonal charcot-marie-tooth disease type 2n; autosomal dominant charcot-marie-tooth disease type 2n; charcot-marie-tooth disease type 2 caused by mutation in aars; charcot-marie-tooth disease, axonal, autosomal dominant, type 2n; charcot-marie-tooth neuropathy axonal type 2n

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease axonal type 2NGARD ID 12429 · 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 2N.

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