What is Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT)?
Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT) is the name commonly given to a group of neurological disorders affecting 1 in 2000 individuals. In CMT the nerves to the lower legs and arms slowly degenerate and there is a progressive weakness and wasting in the muscles they supply. Symptoms can vary considerably even between members of the same family, from almost no symptoms to severe foot drop and contractures in the hands. Some people with CMT have involvement of the sensory nerves and lose sensation as well as motor function. The condition is often classified according to which part of the nerve is involved. In CMT 1, the myelin sheath, which surrounds the nerve, is affected while in CMT 2 the central axon is degenerating. If you imagine a nerve is like a power cord, the myelin sheath is like the plastic coating, while the axon is similar to the copper wires inside the cord.
