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Metachromatic leukodystrophy - Treatment

Alternative Names

MLD; Arylsulfatase A deficiency; Leukodystrophy - metachromatic

Treatment:

There is no cure for MLD. Care focuses on treating the symptoms and preserving the patient's quality of life with physical and occupational therapy.

Research is studying techniques to replace the missing enzyme (arylsulfatase A).

Support Groups:

For additional information and resources, see:

  • United Leukodystrophy Association - www.ulf.org
  • MLD Foundation - www.mldfoundation.org

Expectations (prognosis):

MLD is a severe disease that gets worse over time. Eventually people lose all muscle and mental function. Life span varies depending on what age the condition started, but the disease course usually runs 3 - 20 or more years.

People with this disorder are expected to have a shorter-than-normal lifespan. The earlier the age at diagnosis, the more quickly the disease progresses.

  • Reviewed last on: 11/1/2010
  • Chad Haldeman-Englert, MD, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Section on Medical Genetics, Winston-Salem, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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