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Diseases

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

OVERVIEW

  • Highlights & Basics
  • Images

DIAGNOSIS

  • Diagnostic Approach
  • Risk Factors
  • History & Exam
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis
  • Criteria
  • Screening

TREATMENT

  • Tx Approach
  • Tx Options
  • Emerging Tx
  • Prevention

FOLLOW-UP

  • Overview
  • Complications

REFERENCES

  • Citations
  • Guidelines
  • Credits

PATIENT RESOURCES

  • Patient Instructions

Highlights & Basics

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Key Highlights
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease comprises a group of hereditary peripheral neuropathies with different genetic abnormalities.

  • Absence of a family history does not rule out the condition.

  • Key features include clumsiness as a child, weak ankles, symmetrical nerve conduction changes, and a steppage gait (lifting legs up excessively to clear the toes).

  • Pes cavus (high foot arches with hammertoes) and distal atrophy of the hands and legs are characteristic.

  • Genetic testing should be carefully considered.

Wasting of hand muscles in patient with CMT1A
Wasting of hand muscles in patient with CMT1A
Adapted from Berciano J, Gallardo E, Garcia A, et al. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A duplication with severe paresis of the proximal lower limb muscles: a long-term follow-up study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2006 Oct;77(10):1169-76

Quick Reference

  • History & Exam

    • Key Factors

      • Other Factors

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      • Diagnostics Tests

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        • Treatment Options

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          Definition

          Epidemiology

          Etiology

          Pathophysiology

          content by BMJ Group
          Last updated

          Images

          • Pes cavus, toe clawing, and bilateral peroneal muscular atrophy in patient with CMT1A

            Pes cavus, toe clawing, and bilateral peroneal muscular atrophy in patient with CMT1A

          • Pes cavus, toe clawing, and bilateral peroneal muscular atrophy in patient with CMT1A

            Pes cavus, toe clawing, and bilateral peroneal muscular atrophy in patient with CMT1A

          • Wasting of hand muscles in patient with CMT1A

            Wasting of hand muscles in patient with CMT1A

          Citations

            Key Articles

            • Saporta AS, Sottile SL, Miller LJ, et al. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease subtypes and genetic testing strategies. Ann Neurol. 2011 Jan;69(1):22-33.[Abstract]

            • Shy M, Lupski JR, Chance PF, et al. The hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies: an overview of the clinical, genetic, electrophysiologic and pathologic features. In: Dyck PJ, ed. Peripheral neuropathy. Vol 2. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2005:1623-58.

            • Yiu EM, Bray P, Baets J, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the management of paediatric Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2022 May;93(5):530-8.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • Murphy SM, Laura M, Fawcett K, et al. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: frequency of genetic subtypes and guidelines for genetic testing. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2012 Jul;83(7):706-10.[Abstract]

            Other Online Resources

            • Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association (CMTA)
            • Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation

            Referenced Articles

            • 1. Barreto LC, Oliveira FS, Nunes PS, et al. Epidemiologic study of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: a systematic review. Neuroepidemiology. 2016;46(3):157-65.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 2. Skre H. Genetic and clinical aspects of Charcot-Marie-Tooth's disease. Clin Genet. 1974;6(2):98-118.[Abstract]

            • 3. Nelis E, Van Broeckhoven C, De Jonghe P, et al. Estimation of the mutation frequencies in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies: a European collaborative study. Eur J Hum Genet. 1996;4(1):25-33.[Abstract]

            • 4. Lawson VH, Graham BV, Flanigan KM. Clinical and electrophysiologic features of CMT2A with mutations in the mitofusin 2 gene. Neurology. 2005 Jul 26;65(2):197-204.[Abstract]

            • 5. Dubourg O, Tardieu S, Birouk N, et al. The frequency of 17p11.2 duplication and Connexin 32 mutations in 282 Charcot-Marie-Tooth families in relation to the mode of inheritance and motor nerve conduction velocity. Neuromuscul Disord. 2001 Jul;11(5):458-63.[Abstract]

            • 6. Meretoja P, Silander K, Kalimo H, et al. Epidemiology of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) in south western Finland. Neuromuscul Disord. 1997 Dec;7(8):529-32.[Abstract]

            • 7. Saporta AS, Sottile SL, Miller LJ, et al. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease subtypes and genetic testing strategies. Ann Neurol. 2011 Jan;69(1):22-33.[Abstract]

            • 8. Shy M, Lupski JR, Chance PF, et al. The hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies: an overview of the clinical, genetic, electrophysiologic and pathologic features. In: Dyck PJ, ed. Peripheral neuropathy. Vol 2. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2005:1623-58.

            • 9. Shy ME, Blake J, Krajewski K, et al. Reliability and validity of the CMT neuropathy score as a measure of disability. Neurology. 2005 Apr 12;64(7):1209-14.[Abstract]

            • 10. Murphy SM, Herrmann DN, McDermott MP, et al. Reliability of the CMT neuropathy score (second version) in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2011 Sep;16(3):191-8.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 11. Fridman V, Sillau S, Acsadi G, et al. A longitudinal study of CMT1A using Rasch analysis based CMT neuropathy and examination scores. Neurology. 2020 Mar 3;94(9):e884-e896.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 12. Hoogendijk JE, Hensels GW, Gabreels-Festen AA, et al. De-novo mutation in hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type 1. Lancet. 1992 May 2;339(8801):1081-2.[Abstract]

            • 13. Chung KW, Kim SB, Park KD, et al. Early onset severe and late-onset mild Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease with mitofusin 2 (MFN2) mutations. Brain. 2006 Aug;129(Pt 8):2103-18.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 14. Yiu EM, Bray P, Baets J, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the management of paediatric Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2022 May;93(5):530-8.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 15. England JD, Gronseth GS, Franklin G, et al. Practice parameter: evaluation of distal symmetric polyneuropathy: role of laboratory and genetic testing (an evidence-based review). Neurology. 2009 Jan 13;72(2):185-92.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 16. Murphy SM, Laura M, Fawcett K, et al. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: frequency of genetic subtypes and guidelines for genetic testing. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2012 Jul;83(7):706-10.[Abstract]

            • 17. Szigeti K, Garcia CA, Lupski JR. Charcot Marie Tooth disease and related hereditary polyneuropathies: molecular diagnostics determine aspects of medical management. Genet Med. 2006 Feb;8(2):86-92.[Abstract]

            • 18. American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. Five things physicians and patients should question. Choosing Wisely, an initiative of the ABIM Foundation. 2021 [internet publication].​[Full Text]

            • 19. Abdelnaby R, Elgenidy A, Sonbol YT, et al. Nerve sonography in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 6061 measured nerves. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2022 Aug;48(8):1397-409.[Abstract]

            • 20. Duchesne M, Mathis S, Richard L, et al. Nerve biopsy is still useful in some inherited neuropathies. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 2018 Feb 1;77(2):88-99.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 21. Korinthenberg R, Trollmann R, Plecko B, et al. Differential diagnosis of acquired and hereditary neuropathies in children and adolescents-consensus-based practice guidelines. Children (Basel). 2021 Aug 9;8(8):687.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 22. Borry P, Stultiens L, Nys H, et al. Presymptomatic and predictive genetic testing in minors: a systematic review of guidelines and position papers. Clin Genet. 2006 Nov;70(5):374-81.[Abstract]

            • 23. El Mhandi L, Millet GY, Calmels P, et al. Benefits of interval-training on fatigue and functional capacities in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Muscle Nerve. 2008 May;37(5):601-10.[Abstract]

            • 24. Karas MA, Hoy DJ. Compensatory midfoot dorsiflexion in the individual with heelcord tightness: implications for orthotic device designs. JPO. 2002;14:82-93.[Full Text]

            • 25. Zuccarino R, Anderson KM, Shy ME, et al. Satisfaction with ankle foot orthoses in individuals with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Muscle Nerve. 2021 Jan;63(1):40-5.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 26. Rose KJ, Burns J, Wheeler DM, et al. Interventions for increasing ankle range of motion in patients with neuromuscular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;(2):CD006973.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 27. Pfeffer GB, Gonzalez T, Brodsky J, et al. A Consensus Statement on the Surgical Treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease. Foot Ankle Int. 2020 Jul;41(7):870-80.[Abstract]

            • 28. Ward CM, Dolan LA, Bennett DL, et al. Long-term results of reconstruction for treatment of a flexible cavovarus foot in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008 Dec;90(12):2631-42.[Abstract]

            • 29. An T, Schwartz E, Kissen M, et al. Safety and efficacy of postoperative indwelling popliteal nerve catheters for outpatient Charcot-Marie-Tooth surgery. Foot Ankle Int. 2022 Apr;43(4):504-8.[Abstract]

            • 30. Novais EN, Kim YJ, Carry PM, et al. Periacetabular osteotomy redirects the acetabulum and improves pain in Charcot-Marie-Tooth hip dysplasia with higher complications compared with developmental dysplasia of the hip. J Pediatr Orthop. 2016 Dec;36(8):853-9.[Abstract]

            • 31. Guyton GP, Mann RA. The pathogenesis and surgical management of foot deformity in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Foot Ankle Clin. 2000 Jun;5(2):317-26.[Abstract]

            • 32. Sheth S, Francies K, Siskind CE, et al. Diabetes mellitus exacerbates motor and sensory impairment in CMT1A. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2008 Dec;13(4):299-304.[Abstract]

            • 33. Cavaletti G, Forsey K, Alberti P. Toxic medications in Charcot-Marie-Tooth patients: a systematic review. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2023 Sep;28(3):295-307.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 34. Burns J, Landorf KB, Ryan MM, et al. Interventions for the prevention and treatment of pes cavus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;(4):CD006154.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 35. Attarian S, Vallat JM, Magy L, et al. An exploratory randomised double-blind and placebo-controlled phase 2 study of a combination of baclofen, naltrexone, and sorbitol (PXT3003) in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2014 Dec 18;9:199.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 36. ClinicalTrials.gov. Phase III trial assessing the efficacy and safety of PXT3003 in CMT1A patients (PLEO-CMT): NCT02579759. January 2018 [internet publication].[Full Text]

            • 37. Zhao HT, Damle S, Ikeda-Lee K, et al. PMP22 antisense oligonucleotides reverse Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A features in rodent models. J Clin Invest. 2018 Jan 2;128(1):359-68.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 38. Boutary S, Echaniz-Laguna A, Adams D, et al. Treating PMP22 gene duplication-related Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: the past, the present and the future. Transl Res. 2021 Jan;227:100-11.[Abstract]

            • 39. ClinicalTrials.gov. Phase I/​IIa trial of scAAV1.tMCK.NTF3 for treatment of CMT1A. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03520751. Mar 2023 [internet publication].​[Full Text]

            • 40. Beloribi-Djefaflia S, Attarian S. Treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathies. Rev Neurol (Paris). 2023 Jan-Feb;179(1-2):35-48.[Abstract]

            • 41. Pons N, Fernández-Eulate G, Pegat A, et al. SORD-related peripheral neuropathy in a French and Swiss cohort: clinical features, genetic analyses, and sorbitol dosages. Eur J Neurol. 2023 Jul;30(7):2001-11.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 42. ​ClinicalTrials.gov. Pharmacodynamic efficacy and clinical benefit of AT 007 in patients with sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD) deficiency (INSPIRE). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05397665. Sep 2023 [internet publication].[Full Text]

            • 43. Shy ME, Chen L, Swan ER, et al. Neuropathy progression in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A. Neurology. 2008;70:378-383.[Abstract]

            • 44. Feely SM, Laura M, Siskind CE, et al. MFN2 mutations cause severe phenotypes in most patients with CMT2A. Neurology. 2011 May 17;76(20):1690-6.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 45. Moulin D, Boulanger A, Clark AJ, et al. Pharmacological management of chronic neuropathic pain: revised consensus statement from the Canadian Pain Society. Pain Res Manag. 2014 Nov-Dec;19(6):328-35.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 46. Weimer LH, Podwall D. Medication-induced exacerbation of neuropathy in Charcot Marie Tooth disease. J Neurol Sci. 2006 Mar 15;242(1-2):47-54.[Abstract]

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