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  • Case Report
  • Open Access

30 November 2011

Multiple Sclerosis in an Adrenoleukodystrophy Carrier

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1
Department of Neurology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK
2
Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK
3
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK
4
Department of Neuroradiology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK

Abstract

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder, in which accumulation of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) results in damage to the central nervous system. As the disease is X-linked, males are affected severely, but female carriers may also present with neurological symptoms. We report the case of a young adult female, who presented with episodic sensorimotor symptoms. Although she was a heterozygous female carrier of X-ALD, subsequent investigations confirmed a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a female X-ALD carrier in which the clinical features were more consistent with co-existent MS than ALD-related pathology. The case serves as a reminder that alternative, more common diagnoses should also be considered in carriers of rare neurological syndromes.

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