Glossary for Adrenoleukodystrophy

Adrenomyeloneuropathy: A form of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy characterized by spinal cord dysfunction and brain involvement may or may not be present. Those with brain involvement suffer serious symptoms that can eventually lead to total disability and even death.
Adult-onset ALD: Form of ALD in adults.
Ataxia: It is a neurological sign and symptom consisting of gross lack of co-ordination of muscle movements.
Brain conditions: Medical conditions that affect the brain
Childhood-onset cerebral X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy: A rare genetic disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of the protective sheath around nerves resulting in increasing difficulty. The childhood cerebral form of the condition is the most severe.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Severe chronic fatigue disorder often following infection.
Classic childhood ALD: Classic severe form of ALD in boys.
Cognitive impairment: General loss of mental or cognitive ability
Demyelination: is a destructive process of removal of myelin
Diabetic Diarrhea: Diarrhea that occurs in diabetics as a result of the damage done by diabetes to the digestive system. Digestive system damage is caused by intestinal neuropathy (damage to intestinal nerves) or bacterial overgrowth or both.
Dysphagia: When swallowing is difficult
Female carrier ALD: Mild form of ALD in female carriers
Genetic Disease: Any disease that is handed down to oneself through the chromosomes of ones parents
Hypoadrenocorticism - hypoparathyroidism - moniliasis: An autoimmune disorder where hormone production by various glands is reduced. The main features of the disorder are Addison disease and/or hypoparathyroidism and/or chronic candidiasis.
Hypothyroidism: Too little thyroid hormone production.
Impaired vision: Reduced or degraded vision.
Leukodystrophy: A very rare group of metabolic diseases where chemical anomalies affect the development or maintenance of the protective coating around nerves (myelin sheath). The brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves may be involved. The range and severity of symptoms is determined by the chemical involved but one of the main symptoms for all the leukodystrophies is a gradual loss of previously acquired mental or physical skills.
Multiple Sclerosis: Autoimmune attack on spinal nerves causing diverse and varying neural problems.
Muscle weakness: A condition which is characterized by an inability of the muscles to function at their full strenght
Neonatal ALD: Progressive form of ALD in newborns.
Optic neuritis: Optic nerve inflammation
Pelizaeus-Merzbacher brain sclerosis: A degenerative brain disease involving deterioration of the brain white matter which affects motor and mental functioning.
Schilder's Disease: Rare nerve myelin condition.
Seizures: A rare syndrome characterized by mental retardation, seizures and high levels of hydroxylysine in the urine.
Spinal Cord Disorders: Any condition that affects the spinal cord