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Summary

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a group of genetic nerve disorders. It is named after the three doctors who first identified it. In the United States, CMT affects about 1 in 2,500 people.

CMT affects your peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerves carry movement and sensation signals between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body. Symptoms usually start around the teen years. Foot problems such as high arches or hammertoes can be early symptoms. As CMT progresses, your lower legs may weaken. Later, your hands may also become weak.

Doctors diagnose CMT by doing a neurologic exam, nerve tests, genetic tests, or a nerve biopsy. There is no cure. The disease can be so mild you don't realize you have it or severe enough to make you weak. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, braces and other devices and sometimes surgery can help.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Start Here

• Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (Muscular Dystrophy Association) - PDF
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

Symptoms

• Signs and Symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT) (Muscular Dystrophy Association)

Diagnosis and Tests

• Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

Living With

• Medical Management (Muscular Dystrophy Association)

Related Issues

• Peripheral Neuropathy (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

Specifics

• Types of CMT (Muscular Dystrophy Association)

Genetics

• Causes of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT) (Muscular Dystrophy Association)
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: MedlinePlus Genetics (National Library of Medicine)
• Learning about Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (National Human Genome Research Institute)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: FIG4-Related Parkinsonism and the Particularities of the I41T Mutation: A Review...
• Article: Evaluation of the Role of Tanshinone I in an In Vitro...
• Article: 3D-printed custom ankle braces for people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: A pilot...
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish