Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy
Classification and external resources
eMedicine neuro/468
MeSH D015417

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies (HMSN) are a group of neuropathies which are characterized by their impact upon both afferent and efferent neural communication. HMSN are characterized by non typical neural development, and degradation of neural tissue. The two common forms of HMSN are either hypertrophic demyelinated nerves or complete atrophy of neural tissue. Hypertrophic condition causes neural stiffness and a demyelination of nerves in the peripheral nervous system, and atrophy causes the breakdown of axons and neural cell bodies.[1]

Onion bulb formations in a nerve biopsy in a case of HMSN type I

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies are disorders in which one or more components of the peripheral autonomic or cranial/spinal system is damaged. In these disorders a patient experiences progressive muscular atrophy and sensory neuropathy of the extremities.[2] These disorders are inherited; if a parent has the disease the offspring have a 50% chance of also having the disease.[3] In these disorders numbness and weakness is usually more pronounced in the legs than in the arms. These disorders are also known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, which is divided into seven distinct subtypes. See table below.

The weakness and numbness is caused by parts of the nerves in the extremities deteriorating and no longer receiving messages from the brain nor are sensory axons transmitting messages to the brain. This then causes muscles in the extremities to become very weak because they are not being used.[3]

They are more common than hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies.[4]

History

CMT was first described in 1886 by Charcot, Marie, and independently Tooth.[2] In the 1950s further classification occurred and separated patients into two distinct groups. Group one was characterized by slow nerve conduction velocities and demyelinating neuropathy. Group two was characterized by mostly normal nerve conduction velocities and degeneration of axons. In 1975, the disease was again classified further by Dyck into seven distinct diseases:

Predispositions

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy is quite common and is often inherited with other neuromuscular conditions, and these co morbidities cause an accelerated progression of the disease.

Most forms HMSN affects males earlier and more severely than females, but others show no predilection to either sex. HMSN affects all ethnic groups. With the most common forms having no racial prediliections, but other recessively inherited forms tend to impact specific ethnic groups. Onset of HMSN in most common in early childhood, with clinical effects occurring before the age of 10, but some symptoms are lifelong and progress slowly. Therefore these symptoms do not appear until later in life.[1]

Causes

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies are genetically inherited. Chromosomes 17 and 1 seem to be the most common chromosomes with mutations.[1] There is also evidence that the disease could be X-linked. If the disease is X-linked it would mean it is sex linked and is inherited in a certain pattern. Males would always be affected if they receive an X with the mutation. However, females would only be affected if they receive two X’s with the mutation, otherwise they would only be considered carriers of the disease. Most often relatives with the disease manifest the same type of the disease.

Symptoms

Neuropathy disorders usually have onset in childhood or young adulthood. However, like many inherited neurological disorders symptoms are variable. Some people experience very mild symptoms while others experience very serious symptoms. Motor symptoms seem to be more predominant that sensory symptoms.[2] Symptoms of these disorders include: fatigue, pain, lack of balance, lack of feeling, lack of reflexes, and lack of sight and hearing, which result from muscle atrophy. Patients can also suffer from high arched feet, hammer toes, foot drop, foot deformities, and scoliosis. These symptoms are a result of severe muscular weakness and atrophy. In patients suffering from demyelinating neuropathy, symptoms are due to slow nerve conduction velocities, however people with axonal degradation have average to normal nerve conduction velocities.

Foot showing symptoms of HMSN

Diagnosis

Patients with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies are diagnosed through a physical evaluation that looks for muscle atrophy, weakness, and sensory responses.[3] In addition to this EMG’s (electromyography) and motor nerve conduction tests can help clinicians decide what type of motor and sensory neuropathy it is and how severe the disease is. The electromyography records the electrical activity of skeletal muscles helping physicians see the extent of the damage to the muscles.

Treatment

At this point there is no sure way to treat hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies. However, the majority of people with these diseases are able to walk and be self-sufficient. [3] Some methods of relief for the disease include: physical therapy, stretching, braces, and sometimes orthopedic surgery. Since foot disorders are common with neuropathy disorders precautions must be taken to strengthen these muscles and use preventative care and physical therapy to prevent injury and deformities. Lastly, genetic counseling maybe be helpful in recognizing genetics precursors to the disease and preparing patients for the disease.

Types

In 1968, HMSN were classified into seven groups:[1][5]

Type Other names Diseases Database OMIM
HMSN1 Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 1 5815 (multiple)
HMSN2 Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 2 2343 (multiple)
HMSN3 Dejerine–Sottas disease
Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 3
5821 145900
HMSN4 Refsum disease 11213 266500
HMSN5 Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease with pyramidal features
HMSN with pyramidal features
600361
HMSN6 Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 6
HMSN with optic atrophy
32095 601152
HMSN7 HMSN+retinitis pigmentosa 32094

HMSN is sometimes equated with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease.[6][7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Charcot-Marie-Tooth and Other Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathies at eMedicine
  2. 1 2 3 Vance, Jeffery M. (1991). "Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies". Journal of Medical Genetics 28 (1): 1–5. doi:10.1136/jmg.28.1.1. PMC 1016739. PMID 1999826.
  3. 1 2 3 4 American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine. (2013). Hereditary Motor Sensory Neuropathy. http://www.aanem.org/Education/Patient-Resources/Disorders/Hereditary-Motor-Sensory-Neuropathy.aspx Accessed on 11/10/13.
  4. Houlden, Henry; Blake, Julian; Reilly, Mary M (2004). "Hereditary sensory neuropathies". Current Opinion in Neurology 17 (5): 569–77. doi:10.1097/00019052-200410000-00007. PMID 15367861.
  5. Dyck, Peter James; Lambert, Edward H. (1968). "Lower Motor and Primary Sensory Neuron Diseases With Peroneal Muscular Atrophy". Archives of Neurology 18 (6): 603–18. doi:10.1001/archneur.1968.00470360025002. PMID 4297451.
  6. Horacek, O.; Mazanec, R.; Morris, C. E.; Kobesova, A. (2007). "Spinal Deformities in Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy". Spine 32 (22): 2502–2508. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181573d4e. PMID 18090092.
  7. Bertorini, T.; Narayanaswami, P.; Rashed, H. (2004). "Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (Hereditary Motor Sensory Neuropathies) and Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathies". The Neurologist 10 (6): 327–337. doi:10.1097/01.nrl.0000145596.38640.27. PMID 15518599.

Further reading

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