Childhood cerebral form – in children between the ages 4 – 8.
Adrenomyelopathy – in men in their 20s or later.
Impaired adrenal gland function (called Addison disease) – when the adrenal gland does not produce enough steroid hormones
Childhood cerebral type-Adrenoleukodystrophy symptoms
Reduced comprehension of verbal communication (aphasia)
Crossed eyes (strabismus)
Alteration in muscle tone, especially muscle spasms and spasticity
Handwriting turning bad.
Difficulty at school
Difficulty listening to spoken language.
Hearing impairment
Deterioration of nervous system
Hyperactivity
Reduced fine motor control
Paralysis
Seizures
Coma
Difficulty while swallowing
Blindness or visual impairment
Adrenomyelopathy symptoms
Poor urine control
Muscle weakness, leg stiffness
Not able to think properly, difficulty in memorizing
Adrenal gland failure (Addison type):
Increased pigmentation of the skin
Decreased appetite
Coma
Weight loss, muscle mass loss
Vomiting
Diagnosis of Adrenoleukodystrophy
This is done by performing some test, which can include chromosome study to find changes or mutations in the ABCD1 gene, blood levels and also MRI of the brain.
Treatment of Adrenoleukodystrophy
Adrenal dysfunction type of Adrenoleukodystrophy is treated with steroids like cortisol. Also, consuming diet that is low in long chain fatty acids can reduce blood levels that contains long chain fatty acids. There are some oils like the Lorenzo’s oil that is given for people who are diagnosed with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy. This may not cure the disease but it can help manage the symptoms.
What is Adrenoleukodystrophy?
This is one of the many closely associated inherited disorders that can interrupt the normal breakdown or metabolism of certain fats, particularly very-long-chain fatty acids. Adrenoleukodystrophy being genetic, is passed down from parents to children as an X-lined genetic trait. It usually affects males, though women can have milder types of the disease. 1 in 20.0000 people suffer from this disease.
