What is vanishing white matter disease?

Vanishing White Matter Disease (VWM) is an inherited condition; it is a progressive neurological deterioration of the myelin sheath (white matter). It allows for electrical signals to communicate between neurons. Decreased electrical signals disrupt the proper functioning of the nervous system.

How do members experience vanishing white matter disease?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with vanishing white matter disease*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for vanishing white matter disease*

Who has vanishing white matter disease on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 2
20s 0
30s 1
40s 4
50s 3
60s 3
70+ 0

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 4
Female 9