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Canavan disease

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Spongy degeneration of the brain; Aspartoacylase deficiency

Treatment:

Treatment aims to ease the symptoms of the disease. There is no specific treatment.

Support Groups:

Additional information and resources are available from:

Canavan Foundation

www.canavanfoundation.org

877-4-CANAVAN

Expectations (prognosis):

With Canavan disease, the central nervous system degenerates, and progressive disability is likely. Death usually occurs in the first 1 to 2 decades of life.

Complications:

This is often a fatal disorder and includes severe disabilities such as mental retardation, blindness, and inability to walk.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if your child has any symptoms of Canavan disease.

• Review Date: 8/11/2006
• Reviewed By: Brian Kirmse, MD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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