Machado-Joseph Syndrome
Medical Questions » Illnesses » Machado-Joseph Syndrome
| Name: Machado-Joseph Syndrome |
| Also known as: Azorean Disease |
| Progressive degeneration of the lower part of the brain (cerebellum) and the adjacent spinal cord. |
Causes of Machado-Joseph Syndrome
Congenital condition that passes readily from one generation to the next. First discovered in the Azores Islands in the North Atlantic. |
Symptoms of Machado-Joseph Syndrome
Muscle plasticity and rigidity, poor coordination, inability to speak clearly, limb weakness and a fixed facial expression are the common symptoms. Tremor, eye movement paralysis and eye twitching may also occur. |
Tests for Machado-Joseph Syndrome
Abnormal brain appearance on CT scan. |
Treatment for Machado-Joseph Syndrome
Drugs such as levodopa and baclofen help ease rigidity and plasticity.
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Complications of Machado-Joseph Syndrome of its treatment
Joint damage from muscle spasms. |
Likely Outcome of Machado-Joseph Syndrome
No cure. Slowly progressive. |
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