Rare Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders are medical conditions that affect the central and peripheral nervous system, which are made up of the brain, spinal cord, muscles and nerves. There are a number of rare neurological disorders that cause a variety of health problems for adults and/or children.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a degenerative brain disorder that generally affects people who are 60 and older. The disease can cause impairment of vision and memory, dementia and diminished muscle coordination.

Leigh's Disease

• Leigh's disease is an inherited, neurometabolic disorder that degenerates the central nervous system and affects children that are between three months and 2 years old. Symptoms of the disease include a lack of muscle tone, an inability to control the head, a deficiency of motor skills and/or seizures.

Microcephaly

• Microcephaly is a condition that affects babies, causing their head to be smaller than normal because their brain develops abnormally. Children will microcephaly often suffer from mental retardation or dwarfism, have slow development of motor skills and/or have coordination problems.

Williams Syndrome

• Williams syndrome is a genetic disorder that is caused by a narrowing in the aorta or pulmonary arteries. People with the disorder often suffer from mental retardation and learning problems. They also have distinct facial features that include an upturned nose, a small chin and puffy eyes.

Kearns-Sayre Syndrome

• Kearns-Sayre syndrome is a genetic, neuromuscular disorder that affects people who are 20 or younger. Symptoms include abnormal eye movements, an excess of pigmentation in the eyes, weakness in the skeletal muscles and/or the inability to control voluntary body movements.