Treatment
There are no known cures for Alexander Disease, and thus the main method of treatment involves around extending the patient’s lifespan, manage the symptoms, and to help them maintain a ‘normal’ standard of life. The patient’s family members may be subject to counseling if deemed necessary by themselves and the patients themselves may opt to seek a counselor. In addition, genetic counseling is recommended for the patient’s family members as well as the patients themselves if the patient wishes to have children, in order to educate them about the disease and the potential risks of having children. *Prenatal diagnosis is also highly recommended amongst patients expecting a child in order to prevent further generations from acquiring the disorder.
Currently, the only medical treatments available for patients are related to their symptoms. In 1997, a group of doctors and researchers attempted a bone-marrow transplant in a patient suffering from infantile Alexander Disease and proved to be unsuccessful. (6) Antibiotic therapies to prevent infections, anti-epileptic therapy for seizures, and other methods existent to aid in the aforementioned symptoms are the only methods of treatment. Surgical methods may also be utilized if deemed necessary in order to treat conditions such as hydrocephalus. However, there it should be well noted that the above treatments are fairly considered taxing on the body (especially methods involving surgery) and therefore, patients with an already weakened body and especially patients suffering from the Infantile Alexander Disease may be unavailable for treatment altogether. On the contrary, patients with the Juvenile or Adult form of Alexander Disease may wish to undergo recovery and rehabilitation methods, although due to the rarity of the disorder, the potential of rehabilitation is unknown. Depending upon the severity and the rate of progression of the disorder, individuals may be subject to speech and physical therapies. Consideration of placing the patient under 24 hour care may be given to extremely severe cases of patients suffering from Alexander Disease.
*Prenatal diagnosis refers to testing for diseases, disorders, or conditions which the fetus may be subject to prior to birth. A variety of disorders, birth defects and diseases can be identified including chromosome defects- the only identified cause of Alexander Disease.
Currently, the only medical treatments available for patients are related to their symptoms. In 1997, a group of doctors and researchers attempted a bone-marrow transplant in a patient suffering from infantile Alexander Disease and proved to be unsuccessful. (6) Antibiotic therapies to prevent infections, anti-epileptic therapy for seizures, and other methods existent to aid in the aforementioned symptoms are the only methods of treatment. Surgical methods may also be utilized if deemed necessary in order to treat conditions such as hydrocephalus. However, there it should be well noted that the above treatments are fairly considered taxing on the body (especially methods involving surgery) and therefore, patients with an already weakened body and especially patients suffering from the Infantile Alexander Disease may be unavailable for treatment altogether. On the contrary, patients with the Juvenile or Adult form of Alexander Disease may wish to undergo recovery and rehabilitation methods, although due to the rarity of the disorder, the potential of rehabilitation is unknown. Depending upon the severity and the rate of progression of the disorder, individuals may be subject to speech and physical therapies. Consideration of placing the patient under 24 hour care may be given to extremely severe cases of patients suffering from Alexander Disease.
*Prenatal diagnosis refers to testing for diseases, disorders, or conditions which the fetus may be subject to prior to birth. A variety of disorders, birth defects and diseases can be identified including chromosome defects- the only identified cause of Alexander Disease.