What causes vanishing white matter disease?

Vanishing white matter (VWM) disease is an inherited condition caused by a faulty gene. Children with VWM disease have a defective protein that prevents the body from making enough myelin, a white, fatty substance that insulates nerve fibers, protecting them from damage.

What are the symptoms of vanishing white matter disease?

Affected individuals commonly have symptoms such as low muscle tone, seizures, vomiting, rapid breathing, regression of milestones, loss of vision, and a lack of energy. Onset of the Early Childhood form of VWM occurs after a seemingly normal period of development.

What does decreased white matter in the brain mean?

White matter disease is a disease that affects the nerves that link various parts of the brain to each other and to the spinal cord. These nerves are also called white matter. White matter disease causes these areas to decline in their functionality. This disease is also referred to as leukoaraiosis.

How common is vanishing white matter disease?

The prevalence of leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter is unknown. Although it is a rare disorder, it is believed to be one of the most common inherited diseases that affect the white matter.

Is white matter disease fatal?

It is not possible to stop disease progression, and it is typically fatal within 6 months to 4 years of symptom onset. People with the juvenile form of metachromatic leukodystrophy, which develops between the age of 4 and adolescence, may live for many years after diagnosis.

What is the life expectancy of white matter disease?

In general, the prognosis is grave, with the majority of patients dying after a few years. However, some die only after several months, and some manage to survive for several decades [6].

Can you reverse white matter disease?

While there is no known cure for white matter disease, treatments can help to manage the symptoms. Controlling the risk factors associated with heart disease can help decrease the progression of the disease.

Is white matter disease curable?