Cowchock syndrome

Overview

CMT is an inherited neurological disease characterized by the gradual degeneration of nerves which starts in the hands and feet and results in progressive numbness, muscle weakness and loss of function. Type 4X is an inherited defect of the X chromosome and affects males to a greater degree than females and also involves mental retardation and deafness.

Symptoms

* Deafness * Mental retardation * Muscle weakness in extremities * Reduced nerve conduction speed * Wasted muscles in extremities

Causes

It is caused by a defect in a particular gene on the X-chromosome. According to the website Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, it causes "motor sensory neuropathy," which results in muscle weakness. It also frequently causes deafness and mental retardation.