Living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4A
An inherited nerve condition that starts in infancy or early childhood and affects the legs first, with worsening weakness.
Understanding Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4A
It starts in infancy to early childhood and progresses rapidly. It usually affects the lower legs first and more severely, and later the upper arms and legs. Typical features are weakness and wasting, loss of feeling, and high foot arches. Many children also have delayed motor development.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Weakness and wasting in the lower legs
- Absent tendon reflexes
- Loss of feeling in the hands and feet
- Clubfeet
- Foot differences
- Fewer large insulated nerve fibers
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 brain and nervous system specialists and genetic specialists.
- 3Consider genetic testing
Changes in GDAP1 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation Inc., Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association and Muscular Dystrophy Association 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: Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation Inc., Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association, Muscular Dystrophy 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 Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation Inc. 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
Quick facts
Changes in the GDAP1 gene cause this condition. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive way, so a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.
Also known as: autosomal recessive demyelinating charcot-marie-tooth disease type 4a; charcot-marie-tooth disease type 4 caused by mutation in gdap1; charcot-marie-tooth disease, demyelinating, autosomal recessive, type 4a; charcot-marie-tooth neuropathy type 4a; cmt4a; gdap1 charcot-marie-tooth disease type 4
Patient organizations
- Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation Inc.Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4A · United States
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth AssociationCharcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4A · United States
- Muscular Dystrophy AssociationCharcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4A · United States
- CMT Research FoundationCharcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4A · United States
- The Foundation for Peripheral NeuropathyPeripheral neuropathy · United States
- Neuropathy Action FoundationPeripheral neuropathy · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4A.
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