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Hereditary Neuropathies Synonym(s): Reviewed 05-06-2003 Get Web page suited for printing Email this to a friend or colleague Studies with patients Table of Contents (click to jump to sections) What are Hereditary Neuropathies?Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? Organizations Related NINDS Publications and Information What are Hereditary Neuropathies? Hereditary neuropathies are a group of inherited disorders of the peripheral nervous system. Within the group there are 4 subcategories of disorders, including hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, hereditary sensory neuropathy, hereditary motor neuropathy, and hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy. Symptoms of these disorders vary and may include numbness and tingling in the feet and hands, muscle weakness (especially in the distal muscles), scoliosis, thin lower legs, foot deformities, insensitivity to pain, and autonomic symptoms such as impaired sweating, postural hypotension, and skin blotching. Nerve conduction studies, nerve biopsies, and genetic testing help with diagnosis. These disorders may be diagnosed as early as birth or as late as middle or late age. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder accounts for the majority of all hereditary neuropathies. Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
National Chronic Pain Outreach Association
(NCPOA)
Neuropathy Association
Muscular Dystrophy Association Related NINDS Publications and Information
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