Types of Leukodystrophy
Important Information:
The information contained on this website is maintained to provide information and support that can be of value to sufferers and carers.
This information draws upon a wide range of professional views, published experience and expert opinions, which views and conclusions remain those of the relevant authors.
We are proud to be a source of information about leukodystrophies. However the Australian Leukodystrophy Group Inc. (ALDS) does not represent or warrant the accuracy or effectiveness of the information which is provided and it does not represent therapeutic recommendations or prescriptions.
For specific information and advice, you must consult your doctor.
Many types of leukodystrophy have been identified and described in the relatively short time since the disorder has been recognised.
Whilst a rare condition, there are centres conducting ongoing research around the world. New types of leukodystrophy and new information on previously known types of leukodystrophy continue to be documented.
The following list includes identified types of leukodystrophy. ALDS acknowledges that the list itself is sourced from the United Leukodystrophy Foundation in recognition of its currency.
Please follow the links for available descriptions and/or further information.
Types listed that are not links indicate that whilst this type of leukodystrophy has been identified, unfortunately we do not currently have information on it.
Links to United Leukodystrophy Foundation pages are indicated by ' [external] ' after the link. NB: these ULF pages will open in a new window - close that window to return to this site.
- 18q Syndrome with deficiency of myelin basic protein [external]
- Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)
- Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN)
- Alexander Disease
- Adult-onset Autosomal Dominant Leukodystrophy (ADLD) [external]
- Autosomal Dominant Diffuse Leukoencephalopathy with neuroaxonal spheroids
- Autosomal Dominant late-onset leukoencephalopathy
- Childhood Ataxia with diffuse CNS Hypomyelination (CACH or Vanishing White Matter Disease ) [external]
- Canavan Disease
- Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis (CTX)
- Craniometaphysical dysplasia with leukoencephalopathy
- Familial adult-onset leukodystrophy manifesting as cerebellar ataxia and dementia
- Familial leukodystrophy with adult onset dementia and abnormal glycolipid storage
- Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (Krabbe Disease)
- Hereditary adult onset leukodystrophy simulating chronic progressive multiple sclerosis
- Lipomembranous osteodysplasia with leukodystrophy (Nasu Disease)
- Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD)
- Megalencephalic leukodystrophy with subcortical cysts (MLC) [external]
- Neuroaxonal leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids
- Oculodetatoldigital Dysplasia with cerebral white matter abnormalities
- Orthochormatic leukodystrophy with pigmented glia
- Ovarioleukodystrophy Syndrome
- Pelizaeus Merzbacher Disease (X-linked spastic paraplegia)
- Sjogren-Larssen Syndrome [external]
- Sudanophilic Leukodystrophy
- Van der Knaap Syndrome (Vacuolating Leukodystrophy with Subcortical Cysts or MLC)
- Vanishing White Matter Disease (Childhood ataxia with diffuse central nervous system hypomyelination, or CACH) [external]
Medical opinion is that several other conditions strongly resemble leukodystrophy. The following conditions are considered by the ALDS to belong to the general category of Leukodystrophy covered by the support group.
Please follow the links (where available) for available descriptions and/or further information.
- Acute disseminated encephalomyeolitis (ADEM)
- Acute Disseminated Leukoencephalitis
- Acute Hemorrhagic Leukoencephalopathy
- Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome [external]
- Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteropathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) [external]
- Extensive Cerebral White Matter abnormality without clinical symptoms
- Refsum Disease
- Zellweger Spectrum (Zellweger Syndrome, Neonatal Adrenoleukodystrophy, and Infantile Refsum Disease)