Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN)
Associated very closely with adrenoleukodystrophy is the disorder adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN), which is a milder "adult" form of ALD. It may affect older males in the same way as ALD, and also can occasionally affect women who are carriers of the defective gene responsible for ALD.
AMN is characterised by slowly progressive stiffness and weakness of the legs, and sphincter disturbances, and is often misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis or familial spastic paraparesis. Early symptoms of AMN usually appear when patients are between 24 & 28 years of age. These patients have myelopathy, often with mild peripheral neuropathy, and half of them have moderate cerebral involvement, demonstrable by MRI scan.
While mental function may be entirely preserved, approximately half of AMN patients do develop cerebral changes at some time during the course of the illness, and then may show rapid neurological progression.
Adrenomyeloneuropathy is the condition suffered by Sister Julie Thomas, Founder of the Australian Leukodystrophy Support Group.
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