Understanding CMT

CMT is:

• A disease of the peripheral nerves that control the muscles (unlike the muscular dystrophies, which affect the muscles themselves).
• The most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy, found in both genders and in all races and ethnic groups and affecting more than 3 million people worldwide. Although CMT is typically inherited from one’s parents, it can also occur as a result of a new or spontaneous mutation. People who have these “de novo” mutations can then pass the condition on to their children.
• Usually slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and/or sensation in the feet/legs and hands/arms.
• Currently incurable, but not usually fatal, though it can be severely disabling in some people.