Adrenal Insufficiency Due to X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy

Review
In: Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000.
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Excerpt

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a rare inherited neurodegenerative disorder, involving mainly the white matter and axons of the central nervous system and the adrenal cortex and is a frequent but under-recognized cause of primary adrenocortical insufficiency. X-ALD is caused by a defect in the gene ABCD1 that maps to Xq 28 locus. The primary biochemical disorder is the accumulation of saturated very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) secondary to peroxisomal dysfunction. The incidence in males is estimated to be 1:14,700 live births, without any difference among different ethnicities. X-ALD presents with a variable clinical spectrum that includes primary adrenal insufficiency, myelopathy, and cerebral ALD; however, there is no correlation between X-ALD phenotype and specific mutations in the ABCD1 gene. When suspected, the diagnosis is established biochemically with the gold standard for diagnosis being genetic testing (ABCD1 analysis). Currently, there is no satisfying treatment to prevent the onset or modify the progression of the neurologic or endocrine components of the disease. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation is the treatment of choice for individuals with early stages of the cerebral form of the disease. An alternative option for patients without HLA-matched donors is autologous HSC-gene therapy with lentivirally corrected cells. Once adrenal insufficiency is present, hormonal replacement therapy is identical to that of autoimmune Addison’s disease. For complete coverage of all related areas of Endocrinology, please visit our on-line FREE web-text, WWW.ENDOTEXT.ORG.

Publication types

  • Review