Symptoms & Signs
Childhood cerebral type:
* Changes in muscle tone, especially muscle spasms and spasticity
* Crossed eyes (strabismus)
* Decreased understanding of verbal communication (aphasia)
* Deterioration of handwriting
* Difficulty at school
* Difficulty understanding spoken material
* Hearing loss
* Hyperactivity
* Worsening nervous system deterioration
o Coma
o Decreased fine motor control
o Paralysis
* Seizures
* Swallowing difficulties
* Visual impairment or blindness
Adrenomyelopathy:
* Difficulty controlling urination
* Possible worsening muscle weakness or leg stiffness
* Problems with thinking speed and visual memory
Adrenal gland failure (Addison type):
* Coma
* Decreased appetite
* Increased skin color (pigmentation)
* Loss of weight, muscle mass (wasting)
* Muscle weakness
* Vomiting
Diagnosis & Tests
* Blood levels
* Chromosome study to look for changes (mutations) in the ABCD1 gene
* MRI of the head
Adrenoleukodystrophy: Overview, Causes
Adrenoleukodystrophy: Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
Adrenoleukodystrophy: Treatment
Reviewed By : Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
