Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies (HMSN) is a name sometimes given to a group of different neuropathies which are all characterized by their impact upon both afferent and efferent neural communication. HMSN are characterised by atypical neural development and degradation of neural tissue. The two common forms of HMSN are either hypertrophic demyelinated nerves or complete atrophy of neural tissue. Hypertrophic condition causes neural stiffness and a demyelination of nerves in the peripheral nervous system, and atrophy causes the breakdown of axons and neural cell bodies.^[1] In these disorders, a patient experiences progressive muscle atrophy and sensory neuropathy of the extremities.^[2]

The term "hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy" was used mostly historically to denote the more common forms Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT). With the identification of a wide number of genetically and phenotypically distinct forms of CMT, the term HMSN is now used less frequently.

Classification

Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease was first described in 1886 by Jean-Martin Charcot, Pierre Marie, and independently Howard Henry Tooth.^[2] In the 1950s, further classification occurred and separated patients into two distinct groups. Group one was characterized by slow nerve conduction velocities and demyelinating neuropathy. Group two was characterized by mostly normal nerve conduction velocities and degeneration of axons. In 1968, HMSN were classified again into seven groups:^[1][3]

Symptoms

Foot showing symptoms of HMSN

Neuropathy disorders usually have onset in childhood or young adulthood. Motor symptoms seem to be more predominant that sensory symptoms.^[2] Symptoms of these disorders include: fatigue, pain, lack of balance, lack of feeling, lack of reflexes, and lack of sight and hearing, which result from muscle atrophy. Patients can also suffer from high arched feet, hammer toes, foot drop, foot deformities, and scoliosis. These symptoms are a result of severe muscular weakness and atrophy. In patients suffering from demyelinating neuropathy, symptoms are due to slow nerve conduction velocities, however people with axonal degradation have average to normal nerve conduction velocities.

Causes

All hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies are inherited. Chromosomes 17 and 1 seem to be the most common chromosomes with mutations.^[1] The disease can be inherited in an autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive or X-linked manner.

Diagnosis

Patients with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies are diagnosed through a physical evaluation that looks for muscle atrophy, weakness, and sensory responses.^[4] In addition to this, EMG (electromyography) and motor nerve conduction tests can help clinicians decide what type of motor and sensory neuropathy it is and how severe the disease is. Final confirmation can come through genetic testing.

Treatment

There is currently no known pharmacological treatment to hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies. However, the majority of people with these diseases are able to walk and be self-sufficient.^[4] Some methods of relief for the disease include physical therapy, stretching, braces, and sometimes orthopedic surgery. Since foot disorders are common with neuropathy disorders precautions must be taken to strengthen these muscles and use preventative care and physical therapy to prevent injury and deformities.

Prognosis

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies are relatively common and are often inherited with other neuromuscular conditions, and these co morbidities cause an accelerated progression of the disease.

Most forms HMSN affects males earlier and more severely than females, but others show no predilection to either sex. HMSN affects all ethnic groups. With the most common forms having no racial prediliections, but other recessively inherited forms tend to impact specific ethnic groups. Onset of HMSN in most common in early childhood, with clinical effects occurring before the age of 10, but some symptoms are lifelong and progress slowly. Therefore these symptoms do not appear until later in life.^[1]

See also

• Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with proximal dominance
• Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease
• Hereditary motor neuropathies
• Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies
• Spinal muscular atrophies

References

Further reading

• Reilly MM (October 2000). "Classification of the hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies". Curr. Opin. Neurol. 13 (5): 561–4. doi:10.1097/00019052-200010000-00009. PMID 11073363.