About Alexander's Disease...
Alexander's Disease is a rare Leukodystrophy which is progessive and usually fatal. Reserachers have classified Alexander's into three forms 1) Early (infantile) onset, 2) Intermediate (juvenile) onset and 3) Late (adult) onset. The most common, usually most severe and almost always fatal variety is early onset. Diagnosis is usually made between birth and toddler years. Intermediate onset is less common and symptoms are usually seen between toddler and early teenage years. The most rare variety is late onset where patients are diagnosed as adults. Alexander's is a genetic disease but rarely inherited. Nearly all cases are a random act of nature affecting chromosome 17 (GFAP). It is confirmed by genetic testing and also MRI. For a more detailed, complete and accurate explanation go to
www.waisman.wisc.edu/alexander/ or
www.ulf.org/types/Alexander.html