Living with Foix chavany Marie syndrome
A rare nerve condition affecting the muscles of the face, throat and tongue, causing severe trouble with speech and swallowing.
Understanding Foix chavany Marie syndrome
It causes severe slurred speech (dysarthria) and trouble swallowing (dysphagia) from paralysis of these muscles on both sides. A key feature is that the muscles can still move on their own, such as in yawning or laughing, even when the person can't move them on purpose. It can occur at any time in life.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Severe slurred speech (dysarthria)
- Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
- Weak facial, tongue and chewing muscles
- Changes in the voice
- Seizures
- Developmental delay or thinking problems
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.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect 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)
- 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 The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy 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
GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet.
Also known as: bilateral anterior opercular syndrome; facio-pharyngo-glossal diplegia with automatic-voluntary movement dissociation; facio-pharyngo-glosso-masticatory diplegia; foix-chavany-marie syndrome
Patient organizations
- 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 Foix chavany Marie syndrome.
Explore research for Foix chavany Marie syndrome
Explore actively recruiting Foix chavany Marie syndrome studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Foix chavany Marie 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
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper
I can help you find recruiting Foix chavany Marie syndrome studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
Get Signals for Foix chavany Marie syndrome
Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.
Create a living journal that talks back
HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Foix chavany Marie syndrome experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.
Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.