Inherited neuropathies: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and related disorders

Collectively, the inherited disorders of peripheral nerves represent a common group of neurological diseases and are frequently encountered in the clinical setting. Recent advances in molecular genetics have not only provided improved diagnosis and counselling, but may ultimately lead to specific, rational therapies for the various forms of inherited neuropathy. Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy type 1 (CMT1) is a genetically heterogeneous group of chronic demyelinating polyneuropathies with loci mapping to chromosome 17p (CMT1A), chromosome 1q (CMT1B), the X chromosome (CMTX) and to another unknown autosome (CMT1C). CMT1A is most often associated with a tandem 1.5-megabase (Mb) duplication in chromosome 17p11.2-12, or may occasionally result from a point mutation in the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) gene. CMT1B is associated with point mutations in the myelin protein zero (P0) gene. The molecular defect in CMT1C is unknown. CMTX is associated with defects in the connexin 32 gene. Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy type 2 (CMT2) is an axonal neuropathy, also of undetermined cause. One locus for CMT2 has been assigned for chromosome 1p (CMT2A). Dejerine-Sottas disease is a severe, infantile-onset, demyelinating polyneuropathy which may be associated with point mutations in the P0 or PMP22 genes. Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is an autosomal dominant disorder that results in a recurrent, episodic demyelinating neuropathy. HNPP is associated with a 1.5-Mb deletion in chromosome 17p11.2-12 and may result from reduced expression of the PMP22 gene. CMT1A and HNPP are apparent reciprocal duplication/deletion syndromes originating from unequal cross-over during germ-cell meiosis.