What is CMT? No it is not Country music television; it stands for Charcot Marie Tooth disease. So what is Charcot Marie Tooth disease? Sounds like a tooth disease right? Wrong. CMT is actually the most common neurological disorder that is hereditary and affects about 2.6 million people worldwide. If you have never heard of it, don’t feel bad, a lot of people (including doctors) have never heard of it. This is why I want to talk about it today.
CMT is a hereditary neurological disorder named after the 3 doctors who first described it in 1886. These doctors are French neurologists Jean-Martin Charcot and Pierre Marie, along with English neurologist Howard Henry Tooth. This disease is caused by mutations in the genes.
The MDA reports there are over 70 types of CMT. A journal in the 2011 issue of The Encyclopedia of Neuropsychological Disorders reports the most common types are CMT1, CMT2, CMT3, CMT4, and CMTX. My daughter has type CMT1A which is a sub type of CMT1. This type is caused by deformities of the myelin sheath. Although different types affect different parts of the nerves, every type has very similar symptoms.
What are the symptoms of CMT?
CMT affects the muscles of the feet and lower legs causing them to become weak. As this disease progresses, it can extend to the upper extremities as well.
CMTA (charcot marie tooth association) reports The most common symptoms include:
A deformity of the foot such as a high arch or nor arch at all. A foot drop
Loss of muscle in the lower legs
Numbness in the feet and
Poor or lack of balance
Although there is no cure for CMT, it is not a fatal disease. In fact, the 1st volume of Human Diseases and Conditions reports, people with most forms of this disease can still live a normal life.
CMT generally progresses slowly over a lifetime. Fast progression is rare.
How is CMT diagnosed?
CMT is diagnosed by a neurologist. The neurologist will perform tests including a complete family