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GuideWisdom™

This WisdomCard managed by: Tara Salamone

Alexander disease is one of a group of neurological conditions known as the leukodystrophies, disorders that are the result of abnormalities in myelin, the "white matter" that protects nerve fibers in the brain.

Fast Facts

• --Alexander Disease is Very rare. There are no more than 300 cases reported.

• -- Alexander Disease occurs in 3 different forms; about 80% of all cases are the infantile form. It usually begins at the age of six months or within the first two years. The juvenile form occurs in about 14% of all cases. These patients present symptoms at usually four to ten years of age. Adult onset of the disease is least frequent. Adult symptoms may resemble multiple sclerosis.

• --Currently there is no cure, or standard procedure taken for treatment.

• --The prognosis for Alexander Disease is usually poor. The earlier the onset, the later the disease seems to progress. Usually with early onset the average lifespan is about 10 years.

5 Great Resources on Alexander Disease

• UpToDate: Alexander Disease Overview
• Wikipedia: Alexander Disease
• National Institutes of Health (via Cleveland Clinic): Alexander Disease Overview
• Healthwise: (via WebMD): Alexander Disease
• GeneDx: Alexander Disease

5 Latest Headlines on Alexander Disease

• More Alexander Disease News from Topix

What is Alexander Disease?

• Healthlink: What is Alexander Disease?
• Genetics Home Reference: Alexander Disease
• National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. (via RevolutionHealth): Alexander Disease

What Are The Symptoms of Alexander Disease?

• WrongDiagnosis: Symptoms
• Healthwise (via National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.): Symptoms
• CureResearch: Symptoms

What Are The Causes and Complications of Alexander Disease?

• WrongDiagnosis: Complications
• Healthwise (via National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.): Causes
• United Leukodystrophy Foundation: Causes

What Are The Treatments and Medications for Alexander Disease?

• WrongDiagnosis: Treatment
• National Institute of Neurological Disorder & Stroke (NINDS): Treatment options
• CureResearch: Treatments

What Are The Types, Stages and Survival Rates of Alexander Disease?

• WrongDiagnosis: Types of Alexander Syndrome
• CureResearch: Types of Alexander Syndrome

Wisdom, Blogs, and Message Boards about Alexander Disease

• MSN Groups: Jackie
• Our Beautiful Boy: Jack's Story
• Home Page: Dylan Freeman
• Yahoo Answers: What is Alexander Disease?

Foundations and Support Groups on Alexander Disease

• United Leukodystrophy Foundation
• National Organization for Rare Disorders
• NINDS

Scientific and Medical Journal Articles on Alexander Disease

• PubMed Central: Alexander Disease Articles
• JAMA: Alexander Disease Articles
• Google Scholar: Alexander Disease Articles

Clinical Trials on Alexander Disease

• Clinical Trials: Alexander Disease Clinical Trials

Related WisdomCards

• Genetic Testing
• Genetic Counseling
• Demyelinogenic Leukodystrophy
• Huntington's Disease
• Fragile X Syndrome

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