A 31-year-old member asked:
What happens at the end of metachromatic leukodystrophy?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
30 years experience
Loss of function: This is a very rare disease, inherited when both parents are usually carriers. Because of the deficient enzyme, arylsulfatase a, patients suffer from a gradual destruction of myelin sheath, the protective covering of nerves. At the end, loss of muscle function, seizures, possibly coma, and mental illness (in older people) prevail. Unfortunately, no cure, though therapies may improve life quality.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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A 41-year-old member asked:
What happens in the end stages of metachromatic leukodystrophy?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Colin Kerranswered
Family Medicine 46 years experience
Leukodystroph course: Mld is a severe disease that gets worse over time. Eventually people lose all muscle and mental function. Life span varies depending on what age the condition started, but the disease course usually runs 3 - 20 or more years. See: http://www.Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov/pubmedhealth/pmh0002185/.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 26, 2013
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