Machado-Joseph Disease

Content provided by National Organization for Rare Disorders

Important

It is possible that the main title of the report Machado-Joseph Disease is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

• Autosomal Dominant Spinocerebellar Degeneration
• Azorean Neurologic Disease
• Machado Disease
• Joseph Disease
• MJD
• Nigrospinodentatal Degeneration
• Striatonigral Degeneration, Autosomal Dominant Type
• Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type III (SCA 3)

Disorder Subdivisions

• Machado-Joseph Disease Type I (MJD-I)
• Machado-Joseph Disease Type II (MJD-II)
• Machado-Joseph Disease Type III (MJD-III)

General Discussion

Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD-III), also called spinocerebellar ataxia type III, is a rare, inherited, ataxia (lack of muscular control) affecting the central nervous system and characterized by the slow degeneration of particular areas of the brain called the hindbrain. Patients with MJD may eventually become crippled and/or paralyzed but their intellect remains intact. The onset of symptoms of MJD varies from early teens to late adulthood.



Three forms of Machado-Joseph Disease are recognized: Types MJD-I, MJD-II, and MJD-III. The differences in the types of MJD relate to the age of onset and severity. Earlier onset usually produces more severe symptoms.

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Resources

WE MOVE (Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders)

204 West 84th Street

New York, NY 10024

USA

Tel: 2128758312

Fax: 2128758389

Email: wemove@wemove.org

Internet: http://www.wemove.org



National Ataxia Foundation

2600 Fernbrook Lane

Suite 119

Minneapolis, MN 55447-4752

USA

Tel: 7635530020

Fax: 7635530167

Email: naf@ataxia.org

Internet: http://www.ataxia.org



International Joseph Disease Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 994268

Redding, CA 96099

USA

Tel: 5302464722

Fax: 5302322773

Email: MJD@ijdf.net

Internet: http://www.ijdf.net



National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

31 Center Drive

8A07

Bethesda, MD 20892-2540

Tel: (301)496-5751

Fax: (301)402-2186

Tel: (800)352-9424

Email: braininfo@ninds.nih.gov

Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/



Rosenberg, Roger N., M.D.

Department of Neurology and Physiology

University of Texas Southwestern Medical School

5323 Harry Hines Blvd.

Dallas, TX 75235-9036

Tel: (214)688-4800

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  5/23/2008

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Last updated:	May 23, 2008