Metachromatic leukodystrophy

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Metachromatic leukodystrophy

Synonyms: Arylsulfatase A deficiency | MLD

A rare lysosomal disease characterized by accumulation of sulfatides in the central and peripheral nervous system due to deficiency of the enzyme arylsulfatase A leading to demyelination. Three clinical subtypes can be distinguished based on the age of onset: late infantile juvenile and adult. Lead symptoms are deterioration in motor or cognitive function or behavioral problems depending on the subtype all eventually culminating in a decerebrated state and death after a highly variable disease course and duration. Mode of inheritance is autosomal recessive.

Data from Orphanetare used to provide information on a disease's name, synonym(s), and overview.

Reference: Access aggregated data from Orphanet at Orphadata.

Orphadata: Free access data from Orphanet. © INSERM 1999. Available on http: //www.orphadata.org. Data version May 2023.

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Advocacy Organizations

MLD Foundation

We C.A.R.E.® ... Compassion for families, increasing Awareness, influencing & funding Research, and promoting Education for metachromatic leukodystrophy, a very rare terminal genetic neuro-metabolic lysosomal disease where over half the cases affect infants. Near-term focus is quality of life, newborn screening, and access & reimbursement for emerging therapies.

MPS Society

The MPS Society supports families through difficult times and helps people living with rare diseases to live their lives to the full. Founded in 1982 and led by people directly affected by these diseases, we are the only registered charity in the UK which focusses on MPS (Mucopolysaccharide), Fabry and related conditions, a group of 27 rare, life-limiting genetic diseases.

Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome Advocacy Association

AGSAA is a global coalition of deeply dedicated parent advocates working alongside clinicians, researchers, and scientists. We are united in our desire to improve the lives of individuals and families living with Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome and those yet to be diagnosed. Everything we do reflects a sense of urgency to rescue patient potential and preserve quality of life through accelerating research and providing timely emotional and educational support alongside evolving clinical care recommendations to affected families.

Canadian Society for Mucopolysaccharide & Related Diseases Inc.

The Canadian Society for Mucopolysaccharide and Related Diseases Inc. (The Canadian MPS Society), founded in 1984, serves all Canadians affected by MPS and related diseases through support, education, advocacy and by advancing research.

Mississippi Metabolics Foundation

Mississippi Metabolics Foundation (MMF) was founded to raise awareness, educate, and provide support to those living or caring for someone with genetic metabolic disorders/inborn errors of metabolism (IEM).

Help Hope Live

Help Hope Live supports community-based fundraising for people with unmet medical expenses and related costs due to organ transplants or catastrophic injuries or illnesses. For 38 years, Help Hope Live has been showing clients and families how to bring together a network of relatives, friends, and neighbors in fundraising efforts to help cover the cost of uncovered medical expenses. These efforts play a critical role in helping our clients recover and maintain their health and independence. Since 1983, we have helped thousands of people raise millions of dollars for Help Hope Live to pay a wide range of expenses, including out-of-pocket costs for: medications, durable medical equipment, home health care, wheelchair-accessibility modifications, physical therapy, innovative treatments, medical travel and temporary relocation, even emergency living assistance. Our program has also helped thousands pay it forward and assist others with their medical expenses. Annually, we help place medical care within reach of about 5,000 families across the nation.

Inclusive Skating

TO INCLUDE, INFORM AND INSPIRE people around the globe through the joy of skating, reflecting the compassion, respect and innovation that make ours the world’s premier inclusive organisation. Inclusive Skating is dedicated to the advancement of public participation in sport and the promotion of equality and diversity. Our primary objective is the development and implementation of programming which fosters the inclusion of skaters with any form of impairment or disability. Our ethos of inclusion extends to skaters of all ages and backgrounds; we welcome all with open arms. Values of empathy, integrity and empowerment are central to the pursuit of these goals. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the community, camaraderie, self-fulfilment, achievement, challenge, and thrill that participation in skating sports offers. We work to create these opportunities by offering activities, educational resources, events, training, and championships for our community.

Clinical Trials

For a list of clinical trials in this disease area, please click here.