Machado-Joseph Disease

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Machado-Joseph Disease is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Autosomal Dominant Spinocerebellar Degeneration
Azorean Neurologic Disease
Machado Disease
Joseph Disease
MJD
Nigrospinodentatal Degeneration
Striatonigral Degeneration, Autosomal Dominant Type
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type III (SCA 3)

Disorder Subdivisions

Machado-Joseph Disease Type I (MJD-I)
Machado-Joseph Disease Type II (MJD-II)
Machado-Joseph Disease Type III (MJD-III)

General Discussion

Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD-III), also called spinocerebellar ataxia type III, is a rare, inherited, ataxia (lack of muscular control) affecting the central nervous system and characterized by the slow degeneration of particular areas of the brain called the hindbrain. Patients with MJD may eventually become crippled and/or paralyzed but their intellect remains intact. The onset of symptoms of MJD varies from early teens to late adulthood.

Three forms of Machado-Joseph Disease are recognized: Types MJD-I, MJD-II, and MJD-III. The differences in the types of MJD relate to the age of onset and severity. Earlier onset usually produces more severe symptoms.
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Resources

WE MOVE (Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders)
204 West 84th Street
New York, NY 10024
USA
Tel: (212)875-8312
Fax: (212)875-8389
Email: wemove@wemove.org
Internet: http://www.wemove.org

National Ataxia Foundation
2600 Fernbrook Lane n, Suite 119
Minneapolis, MN 55447-4752
USA
Tel: (763)553-0020
Fax: (763)553-0167
Email: naf@ataxia.org
Internet: http://www.ataxia.org

International Joseph Disease Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 994268
Redding, CA 96099
USA
Tel: (530)246-4722
Fax: (530)232-2773
Email: MJD@ijdf.net
Internet: http://www.ijdf.net

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
31 Center Drive
8A07
Bethesda, MD 20892-2540
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
Tel: (800)352-9424
Email: braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

Rosenberg, Roger N., M.D.
Department of Neurology and Physiology
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75235-9036
Tel: (214)688-4800

MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay, WI 54301-1243
USA
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
Tel: (877)336-5333
Email: mums@netnet.net
Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 5/23/2008
Copyright 1986, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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