Refsum disease
Synonyms: Adult Refsum disease | Classic Refsum disease | HMSN 4 | HMSN IV | Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type 4 | Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type IV | Heredopathia atactica polyneuritiformis | Phytanic-CoA hydroxylase deficiency
A metabolic disease characterized by anosmia cataract early-onset retinitis pigmentosa and possible neurological manifestations including peripheral neuropathy and cerebellar ataxia. Other features can be deafness ichthyosis skeletal abnormalities and cardiac arrhythmia. It is characterized biochemically by accumulation of phytanic acid in plasma and tissues.
Data from Orphanet are used to provide information on a disease's name, synonym(s), and overview.
Reference: Access aggregated data from Orphanet at Orphadata.
Orphadata: Free access data from Orphanet. © INSERM 1999. Available on http://www.orphadata.org. Data version May 2024
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Refsum disease?
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Advocacy Organizations
Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome Advocacy Association
AGSAA is a global coalition of deeply dedicated parent advocates working alongside clinicians, researchers, and scientists. We are united in our desire to improve the lives of individuals and families living with Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome and those yet to be diagnosed. Everything we do reflects a sense of urgency to rescue patient potential and preserve quality of life through accelerating research and providing timely emotional and educational support alongside evolving clinical care recommendations to affected families.
Alex, The Leukodystrophy Charity
Support and access to treatment for everyone living with leukodystrophy Provide support for those living with leukodystrophy, and their families/carers Raise awareness of leukodystrophy Improve best practice in prevention, diagnosis & treatment Support research initiatives
Ataxia and me
To relieve the needs of sufferers of Ataxia or other neurological disorders, their families and carers for the public benefit by providing patient led support and by raising awareness of such conditions."
COMBINEDBrain Inc
COMBINEDBrain is a consortium for outcome measures and biomarkers for neurodevelopmental disorders. We are collaborating to cure rare, non-verbal brain disorders.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association
To develop drugs to treat or cure CMT and to help improve the quality of life for those living with CMT.
Childhood Dementia Initiative
Childhood Dementia Initiative (CDI) is driving world first action in the consideration of the 70+ genetic conditions that cause childhood dementia under the one umbrella.
DDX3X Foundation
Our mission is to connect families, resources, and the medical community to advance research for a treatment or cure to DDX3X Syndrome. Our ultimate goal is to accelerate brain function in individuals affected by DDX3X Syndrome through advances in cell and gene therapy and pharmaceuticals.
Diane Fennimore
OUR MISSION is to provide support to the leukodystrophy community and enable platforms to accelerate improving patient quality of life and finding cures.
Ducks For Dementia
Ducks For Dementia, founded on the profound compassion and vision of a young boy named David, aims to bring solace and understanding to individuals with dementia and their families. Our mission is rooted in the distribution of toy ducks as symbols of comfort, which serve not only as therapeutic aids but also as beacons of joy and companionship for those navigating the complexities of dementia.
Global DARE Foundation
Global DARE Foundation's mission is to promote world-wide awareness and better quality of life for all who are diagnosed with Adult Refsum Disease
Help Hope Live
Help Hope Live assists individuals living with catastrophic injuries and illnesses to fundraise toward their medical expenses and related costs.
Louisiana Metabolic Disorders Coalition
We support, educate, and advocate for patients & families affected by metabolic disorders.
Mississippi Metabolics Foundation
Our mission at Mississippi Metabolics Foundation (MMF) is to advocate, educate, and support families in MS affected by genetic metabolic disorders/inborn errors of metabolism (IEM's). MMF promotes initiatives and further advancements in legislation, education, research, clinical trials, studies, therapies, targeted treatments, and eventual cures for IEM’s and all rare diseases.
Moonshots for Unicorns
Curing single-gene disorders
National Ataxia Foundation
To accelerate the development of treatments and a cure while working to improve the lives of those living with Ataxia.
Project CASK
To fund research for treatment and/or a cure for CASK Gene Disorder
Syndromes Without A Name (SWAN) Australia
Provide information, support and advocacy to families caring for a child with an undiagnosed or rare genetic condition.
cure LBSL
Find a cure for LBSL, advance awareness of the disease, and support patients, families, and medical providers confronted with this ultra-rare condition.
Clinical Trials
For a list of clinical trials in this disease area, please click here.