What causes Kennedy disease?

What causes Kennedy disease?

Kennedy’s disease is caused by a genetic mutation of the androgen receptor gene on the X chromosome. Since the disease is recessive, the presence of the normal gene on the other X chromosome means that girls don’t develop the symptoms of disease, because the normal gene overrides the mutated one.

How common is Kennedys disease?

Affected Populations Kennedy disease affects fewer than 1 in 350,000 males and is very rare in females.

Is Kennedy disease MND?

Kennedy’s disease (also known as spinal bulbar muscular atrophy or SBMA) is a rare disorder of the motor neurones, caused by a genetic mutation. The MND Association supports people with or affected by Kennedy’s disease.

Is Kennedy’s disease a form of ALS?

How is Kennedy’s Disease diagnosed? Kennedy’s disease is a form of motor neuron disease, and therefore may appear clinically similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS / Lou Gehrig’s disease).

How fast does ALS usually progress?

The rate at which ALS progresses can be quite variable from one person to another. Although the mean survival time with ALS is two to five years, some people live five, 10 or more years. Symptoms can begin in the muscles that control speech and swallowing or in the hands, arms, legs or feet.

What are the symptoms of SMA?

Symptoms of SMA may include:

• muscle weakness and decreased muscle tone.
• limited mobility.
• breathing problems.
• problems eating and swallowing.
• delayed gross motor skills.
• spontaneous tongue movements.
• scoliosis (curvature of the spine)

What can mimic ALS symptoms?

Beware: there are other diseases that mimic ALS.

• Myasthenia gravis.
• Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome.
• Lyme disease.
• Poliomyelitis and post-poliomyelitis.
• Heavy metal intoxication.
• Kennedy syndrome.
• Adult-onset Tay-Sachs disease.
• Hereditary spastic paraplegia.

Is ALS Motor Neurone Disease?

ALS belongs to a wider group of disorders known as motor neuron diseases, which are caused by gradual deterioration (degeneration) and death of motor neurons. Motor neurons are nerve cells that extend from the brain to the spinal cord and to muscles throughout the body.