Re: Difference between CMT, MD, MS

January 12, 2011

Hi Lynna,

Not to worry, I did not feel you were disrespectful. Sometimes I forget who

knows what about CMT, so below is a basic definition of the disease differences.

(written by Dr.Greg and I added a few words)

The MDA has been around much longer than the CMT organizations (even farther

back that when started CMTI in 1983) The MDA always included CMT in their

" umbrella " of neuromuscular diseases - and still does, which may be where we get

the confusion from. The first brochures I read about CMT were produced by MDA.

Think I got a bunch in 1979 when I started to be an adult and get serious about

learning what CMT is. The MDA still conducts research on CMT also.

Why is it important to know the difference? Well, to know the truth, what you DO

have and what you don't. When communicating to others why you fall or why you

are tired or why you have tremors or in raising awareness or raising funds, it

is imperative to know what's what. As for 'the man on the street' well ok, most

are just curious, but some are fearful they can 'catch' it or get it, others

won't care, but some are genuinely interested in learning. And for continuing

public health awareness and research, people need to be educated on CMT, so we

can raise $ for treatment and arrestment.

CMT, MS & MD What's the difference? by Dr. Greg

CMT, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy are all three completely

separate and distinct problems.

The neuromuscular system really starts at the brain, which is the master

computer, and sends signals to the motor (muscles) via the spinal cord (an

intermediate connecting cable) which hooks up to the peripheral nerves (the

connecting lines between brain and muscle).

CMT is primarily a disease of the peripheral nerves (the connecting lines

between brain and muscle). CMT causes weakness and impaired sensory perception

because the signal can't get to and from the brain to muscle and skin, among

other things. The muscles will shrink (atrophy) as they aren't getting the

proper signals but the muscles themselves are not directly diseased per se. CMT

does not affect the brain/intellectual capacity,

Muscular dystrophy is a disease directly of the muscle itself and this causes

weakness of varying degrees (there are many forms of MD). Sometimes the heart

can be involved because it is a muscle too. Also, the lungs can be affected

because the breathing muscles are weak (similar to CMT, although in CMT it is

because the phrenic nerves are affected which in turn weakens the diaphragm, our

main breathing muscle).

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the brain and spinal cord. It is an immune

system (inflammatory) disorder. It can affect both movement and sensory

perception and sometimes, thinking processes.

Hope that is clear. For more on MD see

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/md/md.htm For more on MS see

http://www.nationalmssociety.org

Gretchen

January 12, 2011

Gretchen

All I can say is WOW! I love how that is clearly seperated and explained. I am

going to print this off and keep this with me so that I can better explain CMT

to family members and friends. I'd often wondered also why it was under the MDA

umbrella but couldn't find an explaination.

Thanks again for this GREAT information.

Mother to Ashlee Rayne & Aimee Renae

January 12, 2011

And I should add that not all CMT is 'Demylenating'. The demylenation is caused

by the wrapping * around the nerve * , it becomes 'frayed'; in Type 2, the

problem is within the nerve itself.

January 12, 2011

Gretchen,

This is too simplistic.

CMT 1X, for example, has transient CNS symptoms, and symptoms which are shared

with MS.

" It can affect both movement and sensory perception and sometimes, thinking

processes. "

All of these are CMT symptoms are they not?

The topic of overlap must be addressed.

On Jan 11, 2011, at 5:18 PM, gfijig wrote:

>

> Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the brain and spinal cord. It is an immune

system (inflammatory) disorder. It can affect both movement and sensory

perception and sometimes, thinking processes.

>

> Hope that is clear. For more on MD see

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/md/md.htm For more on MS see

http://www.nationalmssociety.org

>

> Gretchen

January 12, 2011

,

Yes, many neuromuscular disorders share some same characteristics. Muscle

cramping, peripheral neuropathy, walking difficulties, etc. however " thinking

processes " are NOT part of CMT.

I was merely attempting to simplify the distinctions between MD and CMT as

concisely as possible to answer the question " what's the difference " . I always

start with the simplest answer and work from there. K.I.S.S.

You can address all the overlap you want in regards to symptoms and

characteristics. You can include ALS, 's Disease, FA, MG, CIDP, etc.

But for the purposes of public awareness,do not lose sight of CMT basics, what

it IS and what it IS not. It's no wonder people get misdiagnosed and confused.

Dystrophin is structural protein found in small amounts in normal muscle but

absent or present in abnormal amounts in individuals with Muscular Dystrophy.

Dystrophin is not a problem in CMT.

MS is as inflammatory disorder, for which there is treatment. As you know, there

is no treatment for CMT.

Gretchen

>

January 12, 2011

see, i learned something new! I always wondered why there was a treatment for MS

and not for CMT when i thought they were similar except for the nervous system

they affect!

jackie

Re: Difference between CMT, MD, MS

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