Types of Adrenoleukodystrophy

Types list: The list of types of Adrenoleukodystrophy mentioned in various sources includes:

Classic childhood ALD - severe form in boys
Adult-onset ALD - milder form in young adults
Female carrier ALD - mild form in female carrying the gene.
Neonatal ALD

Types discussion: There are several forms of ALD. Onset of the classic childhood form, which is the most severe and affects only boys, may occur between ages 4 and 10. Features of this form may include visual loss, learning disabilities, seizures, dysarthria (poorly articulated speech), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), deafness, disturbances of gait and coordination, fatigue, intermittent vomiting, melanoderma (increased skin pigmentation), and progressive dementia. The most common symptoms are usually behavioral changes such as abnormal withdrawal or aggression, poor memory, and poor school performance. In the milder adult-onset form, which typically begins between ages 21 and 35, symptoms may include leg stiffness, progressive spastic paraparesis (stiffness, weakness and/or paralysis) of the lower extremities, and ataxia. Although adult-onset ALD progresses more slowly than the classic childhood form, it can also result in deterioration of brain function. Another form of ALD is occasionally seen in women who are carriers of the disorder. Symptoms are mild and may include spastic paraparesis of the lower limbs, ataxia, hypertonia (excessive muscle tone), mild peripheral neuropathy, and urinary problems. Neonatal ALD affects both male and female newborns. Symptoms may include mental retardation, facial abnormalities, seizures, retinal degeneration, hypotonia (low muscle tone), heptomegaly (enlarged liver), and adrenal dysfunction. This form is usually quickly progressive. ¹

Footnotes:
1. excerpt from NINDS Adrenoleukodystrophy Information Page: NINDS

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