In some patients, it can affect respiratory functions. The spectrum of symptoms is broad, ranging from mild discomfort to obvious deformity. Overall, it is said to affect about 150,000 people in the United States - a figure small enough for the ailment to count as rare but large enough to make it the country's most common inherited neurological disease. CMT symptoms can masquerade as anything from arthritis to aging. In extreme cases, like that of the Ademis, lack of treatment can lead to devastating results.
Basic texts describing the disease often note that there is no cure or single prescribed treatment.
Artan was just past puberty when the disease became evident, bending his feet inward at freakish angles and impeding his ability to move. But at least he was still able to put weight on his feet. Fllanza was less fortunate. At about age 13, her feet contorted inward, then froze in that position. Her parents, who had watched the disease cripple their oldest son, were inconsolable.