Definition

The name Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder (CMT) refers to a group of hereditary diseases, all involving chronic motor and sensory neuropathies. Drs. Charcot and Marie of France, and Dr. Tooth of England first described the disorder in 1886 when they found patients with progressive muscle weakness and muscle loss in their feet and lower legs. Over time, this weakness progressed to their hands and forearms. More is now known about the numerous disease subtypes, including their complex genetics and inheritance patterns.

Description

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder is also known by the names hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, and peroneal muscular atrophy. A person with CMT often has distal muscle weakness and atrophy that involves the feet, legs, and hands. Many people with CMT are diagnosed later in life as adults. However, diagnosis can happen as early as the first to third decade of life when there is a...