News

Inherited variants in the PSAT1 gene caused Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease in two adolescents, as detailed in a case study and reportedly for a first time. These cases are unusual, given that PSAT1 variants are known to cause severe abnormalities in the central nervous system (CNS), or the brain and…

A novel mutation in the GJB1 gene was found to cause X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) in a new study. “Our results expand the spectrum of mutations in GJB1 known to be associated with [X-linked CMT] and contribute to the diagnosis of CMT and clinical genetic counseling,” the researchers wrote. The…

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Research Foundation (CMTRF) have awarded a joint research grant that will examine cellular changes in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease with aberrant myelin. The research team led by Alessandra Bolino, Ph.D., at San Raffaele Hospital, Italy received a $263,450 grant for…

A new report describes the case of a 63-year-old man diagnosed with an atypical, severe form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2 (CMT2), with overlapping symptoms of the rarer CMT type 4. Genetic testing showed the man had the subtype CMT2K, caused by mutations in the GDAP1 gene, but with…

A rare mutation in the SOD1 gene helped doctors to diagnose a woman with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a study reports. Although SOD1 mutations are commonly associated with the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), clinical assessments confirmed a CMT diagnosis. Researchers hoped this report would raise awareness…

Novel parameters for MRI scans that measure the degree of muscle fat in specific regions of the legs showed a positive correlation with clinical indicators of disease severity and disability in people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A), a study reports. The findings suggest that these new MRI parameters…

A standardized tool called the Charcot–Marie–Tooth Examination Score (CMTES) help track disease progression in people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) caused by mutations in the myelin protein zero (MPZ) gene, a study reports. It may also be useful for tracking the effectiveness of potential treatments in future clinical trials, researchers…

Moderate to severe anxiety, depression, and general distress affect up to 25% of people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), according to data from an Italian national registry. Having a more severe disease correlated with experiencing moderate to severe depression and general distress. Nearly half of patients with mental health conditions…

Mutations in the SerRS gene — which is critical for protein production — were identified as the cause of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) in three families in China, a study reported. Researchers found that two newly-identified SerRS mutations likely acted to disrupt the process by which proteins are produced from…

Blocking the activity of a protein known as SARM1 — called an “executioner” by scientists — may be a useful strategy in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), according to a new study done in a rat model of CMT type 2A (CMT2A). According to researchers, such a strategy may prevent…