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Diseases Studied

The Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network is an NIH-funded research network of 20 active consortia or research groups working to advance treatment for diseases that are rare. Use the search tools on this page to find the diseases we currently study. You can reach out to the indicated consortia or research groups for more information on those diseases and studies underway.

This network focuses on clinical research and does not generally support clinical care outside of research activities. To learn about other rare diseases, please visit the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD), which is an NIH program that helps the public find reliable information about rare and genetic diseases. Their staff are specialists. Contact them at 1-888-205-2311 or email GARDinfo@nih.gov.

All Diseases > Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy

Disease Category: Inherited Neuropathies

Neuropathy means that there is a problem with the nerves. Peripheral refers to the peripheral nervous system, which is all of the nerves that branch from the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and travel to the feet and hands - the periphery of the body. CMT is an inherited peripheral neuropathy. Inherited means that something can be passed on from generation to generation. People with CMT usually have problems with their feet and hands, including feet deformity (high arches and hammertoes), foot drop, abnormal sensations (and loss of fine motor skills. Not everyone with CMT is affected in the same way. Some patients have mild neuropathy, while others may have more severe problems with walking, hands, and/or sensation

Research groups studying this disease

Inherited Neuropathies
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Inherited Neuropathy Consortium (INC)

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Recruiting

A lack of high quality natural history data, based on a uniform, quantitative evaluation of patients continues to hinder the efforts to perform clinical trials for most forms of CMT. This study aims to determine the natural history of CMT1B, CMT2A, CMT4A, CMT4C, and other types of CMT in order to refine the overall picture of disease for use in future clinical trials.

It is likely that progression also varies during different pediatric age groups for different forms of CMT. However, there are no large-scale epidemiological data available for the genetic distribution or natural history of inherited neuropathies in the pediatric age group. This study aims to develop and test the CMT Peds scale (CMTPedS) in children with CMT in order to refine the scoring for future natural history and therapeutic trials. This study involves designing a pediatric scale(s) to measure impairment in children with CMT and to test the scale’s ability to measure disease progression in patients.

No CMT-specific clinical outcome measure currently exists to measure disease severity or progression in children from birth to 3 years of age. This is an important omission since future clinical interventions may be most effective in slowing disease progression if given early in life.The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a clinical outcome measure to evaluate disability and disease progression of children ≤3 years of age (infants and toddlers) with various types of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT).

Supports Charcot-Marie-Tooth patients and their families with dedicated actions and research to increase awareness and quality of life.

This patient-led, non-profit foundation is focused exclusively on addressing treatments and cures for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Founded in 1990, Fondazione Telethon conducts fund raising activities to support research projects that aim to advance the treatment of rare genetic diseases.

Funds Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) research and works to improve quality of life for all CMT patients.

Supports people living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in the United Kingdom by providing personal support, advice, and information.

Works to increase awareness and accurate diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) and related inherited neuropathies, support patients and families, and fund research.

Supports efforts to transform the lives of people with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases.