Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is one of the most common inherited neurological disorders, affecting approximately 1 in 2,500 people in the United States. CMT, also known as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN) or peroneal muscular atrophy, comprises a group of disorders caused by mutations in genes that affect the normal function of the peripheral nerves. The peripheral nerves lie outside the brain and spinal cord and supply the muscles and sensory organs in t

What is myasthenia gravis? Myasthenia gravis is a disorder causing extreme muscle weakness that can impact a person’s ability to see, walk, talk, breathe and even smile. The condition is rare and non-contagious, and affects people of all races, genders and ages. In MG, the body’s immune system attacks the connection between the neurons and the muscle fiber, which limits the ability of the brain to control muscle movement. The degree of muscle weakness can vary from person to

What Is Vertigo? Vertigo is the feeling that you or your environment is moving or spinning. It differs from dizziness in that vertigo describes an illusion of movement. Vertigo is caused by problems in the brain or inner ear, including sudden head movements, inflammation within the inner ear due to a viral or bacterial inner ear infection, Meniere's disease, tumors, decreased blood flow to the base of the brain, multiple sclerosis, head trauma and neck injury, migraine headac

More than 3 million US cases per year Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas and is often accompanied by altered sleep, memory, and mood swings. Although the causes of fibromyalgia are unknown, there may be a number of factors involved. Fibromyalgia has been linked to: Stressful or traumatic events, such as car accidents, repetitive injuries, illness or certain diseases, or can also occur

What Is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis? Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive degenerative disorder of the nervous system. It is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS attacks motor neurons, which are nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. These cells send messages to muscles throughout the body. In ALS, the motor neurons die. The ability of the brain to start and control muscle movement is lost. As a result, muscles gradually weaken. In time, most muscles a

Myasthenia Gravis Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. Symptoms vary in type and intensity. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Muscles that control eye and eyelid movements, facial expression, chewing, talking, and swallowing are often, but not always, involved.