Re: A Question About CMT and Heredity

[Guest guest]

Yes

[Guest guest]

What type of cmt are we talking about?

jenny

In a message dated 5/7/2010 8:45:56 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

cdwheels3@... writes:

My sister and I were tested and found to have CMT. We know from

neurological tests and clinic notes that we found of our now deceased father

that he

also had CMT. My brother does not appear to have any of the symptoms and

possibly escaped the disease.

Question: If there is a 50%/50% chance of inheriting the disease does that

mean that the disease will not exist in the genes of my brother and his

offspring?

-wheels

[Guest guest]

The neurologist has stated that our family has a unique CMT type close to

HSN and has not suggested gene testing using the known commercially

available tests. Gene testing is being planned for our next family reunion

using a portable test kit and nerve conduction machine, blood would be draw,

cheeks swabbed, etc.

-wheels

[Guest guest]

I hate to contradict Gretchen, so think of this as a little refinement of the

answer ... If your brother was lucky enough to not inherit the gene that

causes CMT (most usually autosomal dominant) then Gretchen is absolutely correct

that his children will not inherit it (unless their mother has it -- not

likely). HOWEVER, because CMT has variable penetrance, which means that some

have a severe case, some have very mild cases and everything in between, your

brother could still have the gene and be asymptomatic. In that case, he could

pass it along.

In my family one sister is significantly affected, I'm mildly affected and

another sister seems asymptomatic. Her children are showing symptoms, though,

and on closer examination, she is probably very mildly affected. Balance and

hearing loss being her only definite symptoms.

Holli

>

> Yes

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Gretchen and Holli. We were found to be autosomal dominant. I am

assuming that my brother was lucky.

-wheels

[Guest guest]

That is correct. My mother was the CMT carrier, My brother who is older than I

does not have CMT, nor do his offsprings. My daughters do not seem to be

affected and they are both in their 30's, which is older than I was when I knew

I had inherited it.

Margaret

[Guest guest]

I do not have the original email about this thread but my paternal

grandmother had CMT, they thought it was polio early on. She has two kids, my

father and my aunt. Neither seem to have symptoms and are 70+ now. I have two

brothers who do not have CMT and I show no signs either. None of my brothers

kids or my aunts kids have CMT. My daughter does not have CMT but my 11 year old

son definitely does. Weird stuff!

Lori