Spongy degeneration of the brain; Aspartoacylase deficiency

Treatment mostly aims to ease the symptoms of the disease. Lithium and other drugs are being investigated.

Additional information and resources are available from:

• Canavan Foundation: www.canavanfoundation.org
• Jacob's Cure: www.jacobscure.org

With Canavan disease, the central nervous system breaks down. Patients are likely to become disabled.

Death often occurs before 18 months of age. However, some patients live until they are teenagers or, rarely, young adults.

This is often a fatal disorder. It includes severe disabilities such as:

• Blindness
• Inability to walk
• Mental retardation

Call your health care provider if your child has any symptoms of Canavan disease.

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Canavan disease Symptoms

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Canavan disease Prevention

Review Date: 11/10/2010
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Departments of Anatomy and Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (10/14/2009).

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)