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Living with Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation 5

A nervous system condition (BPAN) with seizures from infancy or early childhood, developmental delay, and movement problems.

Understanding Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation 5

Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation 5, or BPAN (beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration), damages the nervous system and gets worse over time.

Iron builds up in the brain, though it may not appear until late. Many people have recurrent seizures that begin in infancy or early childhood, and several types of seizures can occur in the same person. Children also have intellectual disability, delayed development with significant speech problems, and trouble coordinating movements (ataxia).

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Seizures that start in infancy or early childhood
  • Intellectual disability
  • Delayed development
  • Poor speech
  • Poor coordination (ataxia)
  • Parkinson-like symptoms such as slow movement

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 WDR45 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); 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 NBIA Disorders Association 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
Should we have genetic testing for the WDR45 gene?
Which treatments can help control seizures?
Which therapies can support my child's speech and movement?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startChild
InheritanceX-Linked
GenesWDR45

GARD lists changes in the WDR45 gene. It is X-linked, which means the gene is on the X chromosome.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration; bpan; bpan - beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration; nbia5; neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation 5, x-linked dominant; neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation caused by mutation in wdr45

Patient organizations

  • NBIA Disorders AssociationNeurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation 5 · United States
  • Beat BPANNeurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation 5 · United States
  • Don't Forget MorganNeurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation 5 · United States
  • NBIAcureNeurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation 5 · United States
Source: NIH GARD · Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation 5GARD ID 12570 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

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