Adrenoleukodystrophy is an X-linked peroxisomal disorder caused by pathogenic variants in ABCD1, leading to defective degradation of very long-chain fatty acids and their accumulation in the nervous system and adrenal cortex. Major disease consequences include cerebral demyelination and primary adrenal insufficiency.
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Conditions with similar clinical presentations that must be differentiated from adrenoleukodystrophy:
name: adrenoleukodystrophy
creation_date: '2026-04-14T12:05:00Z'
updated_date: '2026-05-20T13:20:13Z'
category: Mendelian
description: >-
Adrenoleukodystrophy is an X-linked peroxisomal disorder caused by pathogenic
variants in ABCD1, leading to defective degradation of very long-chain fatty
acids and their accumulation in the nervous system and adrenal cortex. Major
disease consequences include cerebral demyelination and primary adrenal
insufficiency.
disease_term:
preferred_term: adrenoleukodystrophy
term:
id: MONDO:0018544
label: adrenoleukodystrophy
synonyms:
- X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy
- X-ALD
parents:
- hereditary disease
- leukodystrophy
has_subtypes:
- name: Childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy
description: >-
The inflammatory cerebral form marked by rapidly progressive white-matter
demyelination and the main subtype considered for early HSCT.
- name: Adrenomyeloneuropathy
description: >-
The adult spinal cord and peripheral nerve-predominant form of
adrenoleukodystrophy.
- name: Addison-only adrenoleukodystrophy
description: >-
A presentation with primary adrenal insufficiency before overt
neurologic disease.
inheritance:
- name: X-linked recessive inheritance
inheritance_term:
preferred_term: X-linked recessive inheritance
term:
id: HP:0001419
label: X-linked recessive inheritance
description: >-
Classic adrenoleukodystrophy is inherited as an X-linked recessive
disorder due to pathogenic ABCD1 variants.
mechanistic_hypotheses:
- hypothesis_group_id: canonical_abcd1_vlcfa_demyelination_adrenal_model
hypothesis_label: Canonical ABCD1 / VLCFA Accumulation / Demyelination & Adrenal Insufficiency Model
status: CANONICAL
description: >-
X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is caused by loss-of-function variants in ABCD1 on Xq28
encoding the peroxisomal membrane transporter ALDP, which imports very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA)
CoA-esters into the peroxisome for β-oxidation. Loss of ABCD1 function disables peroxisomal
β-oxidation of saturated VLCFAs (C24:0, C26:0) and produces their pathological accumulation in
plasma, adrenal cortex, Leydig cells, oligodendrocytes, and CNS myelin. VLCFA accumulation drives
mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, microglial activation, and a neuroinflammatory cerebral
demyelination program, alongside adrenocortical apoptosis producing primary adrenal insufficiency.
Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation and lentiviral gene therapy (elivaldogene autotemcel) halt
cerebral disease progression in early-stage childhood cerebral ALD, corroborating the ABCD1-loss /
VLCFA-accumulation / neuroinflammatory-demyelination axis as the canonical pathogenic mechanism.
notes: >-
Retained as CANONICAL with PARTIALLY SUPPORTED
qualification (upstream definitive, downstream mechanistically
incomplete). The 2026 openscientist hypothesis-search report
(kb/hypotheses/adrenoleukodystrophy/canonical_abcd1_vlcfa_demyelination_adrenal_model)
confirms 18 findings from 120 papers. Upstream biochemistry is
definitively established: cryo-EM ABCD1 structure, VLCFA-CoA
substrate recognition, impaired peroxisomal β-oxidation, and
ELOVL1-amplified VLCFA accumulation. Lentiviral gene therapy
(eli-cel/elivaldogene autotemcel; PMID:39383459) and allogeneic
HSCT provide therapeutic proof-of-concept by halting cerebral
disease via hematopoietic ABCD1 restoration. Three critical
downstream refinements limit the model's explanatory power:
(1) VLCFA accumulation is necessary but not sufficient for
cerebral inflammatory demyelination — all patients accumulate
VLCFA but only 35–40% of males develop cerebral ALD, with no
genotype-phenotype correlation, indicating unknown modifier
genes and environmental/stochastic factors determine
phenotypic conversion; (2) no animal model spontaneously
develops cerebral demyelination despite VLCFA accumulation,
indicating VLCFA alone cannot drive the inflammatory cerebral
phenotype; (3) adrenal insufficiency operates through a
pathway DISTINCT from the neuroinflammatory cascade — HSCT/
gene therapy fail to correct adrenal dysfunction; first
therapeutic adrenal rescue achieved through 2-hydroxypropyl-β-
cyclodextrin (HPCD), suggesting lysosomal cholesterol trapping
rather than VLCFA toxicity drives adrenocortical apoptosis.
Six downstream mechanisms converge on tissue damage:
mitochondrial dysfunction / oxidative stress, NLRP3
inflammasome via 25-hydroxycholesterol, CD1-mediated lipid
antigen presentation to CD8 T cells, macrophage CD36/JNK
priming, ER-stress/UPR activation, and emerging ferroptosis.
Only saturated VLCFAs are specifically toxic. Plasma
neurofilament light chain (NfL) is validated as a prognostic
biomarker for cerebral disease onset and treatment response.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: "A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is an X-linked disorder caused by a hemizygous mutation of the ABCD1 gene."
explanation: >
Canonical mechanism reference used as the seed for the
hypothesis-search deep-research run.
pathophysiology:
- name: ABCD1-mediated peroxisomal fatty acid transport defect
description: >-
Pathogenic ABCD1 variants impair the peroxisomal transporter required to
move very long-chain fatty acids into peroxisomes for degradation.
genes:
- preferred_term: ABCD1
term:
id: hgnc:61
label: ABCD1
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: fatty acid transport
term:
id: GO:0015908
label: fatty acid transport
modifier: DECREASED
- preferred_term: fatty acid beta-oxidation
term:
id: GO:0006635
label: fatty acid beta-oxidation
modifier: DECREASED
- preferred_term: very long-chain fatty acid metabolic process
term:
id: GO:0000038
label: very long-chain fatty acid metabolic process
modifier: DECREASED
cellular_components:
- preferred_term: peroxisome
term:
id: GO:0005777
label: peroxisome
chemical_entities:
- preferred_term: very long-chain fatty acid
term:
id: CHEBI:27283
label: very long-chain fatty acid
modifier: INCREASED
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is an X-linked disorder caused by a
hemizygous mutation of the ABCD1 gene.
explanation: >-
This directly supports ABCD1 as the causal gene for ALD.
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy:
A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of Outcome following
Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
The disease results from pathogenic mutations in the peroxisomal
transporter ABCD1 gene
explanation: >-
This supports the peroxisomal transporter defect as the proximal
metabolic lesion in ALD.
downstream:
- target: Very long-chain fatty acid accumulation
description: >-
Impaired peroxisomal transport and beta-oxidation cause VLCFA buildup in
blood and tissues.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral
Adrenoleukodystrophy: A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of
Outcome following Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Mediated by elevated concentrations of very long chain fatty acids, the
disease may manifest as central nervous system demyelination, primary
hypoadrenalism, and/or primary hypogonadism.
explanation: >-
This supports elevated VLCFAs as the central biochemical mediator of ALD
tissue manifestations.
- name: Very long-chain fatty acid accumulation
description: >-
Defective degradation causes pathologic elevation of VLCFAs in plasma and
tissues, especially affecting brain, spinal cord, and adrenal tissue.
chemical_entities:
- preferred_term: very long-chain fatty acid
term:
id: CHEBI:27283
label: very long-chain fatty acid
modifier: INCREASED
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) levels were elevated, and the ABCD1
mutation, p.Gly116Arg, was identified in hemizygous state.
explanation: >-
This directly supports VLCFA accumulation as a biochemical hallmark.
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy:
A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of Outcome following
Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Mediated by elevated concentrations of very long chain fatty acids, the
disease may manifest as central nervous system demyelination, primary
hypoadrenalism, and/or primary hypogonadism.
explanation: >-
This links VLCFA accumulation to the major tissue-level manifestations of
ALD.
downstream:
- target: Inflammatory cerebral demyelination
description: >-
VLCFA-mediated tissue injury contributes to the inflammatory cerebral
phenotype.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral
Adrenoleukodystrophy: A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of
Outcome following Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Mediated by elevated concentrations of very long chain fatty acids, the
disease may manifest as central nervous system demyelination
explanation: >-
This links elevated VLCFAs to the central nervous system demyelination
phenotype.
- target: Adrenocortical dysfunction
description: >-
VLCFA accumulation also injures adrenal tissue and contributes to primary
adrenal insufficiency.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral
Adrenoleukodystrophy: A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of
Outcome following Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Mediated by elevated concentrations of very long chain fatty acids, the
disease may manifest as central nervous system demyelination, primary
hypoadrenalism
explanation: >-
This links elevated VLCFAs to primary hypoadrenalism in ALD.
- target: Gonadal dysfunction
description: VLCFA accumulation can also impair gonadal endocrine function.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral
Adrenoleukodystrophy: A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of
Outcome following Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Mediated by elevated concentrations of very long chain fatty acids, the
disease may manifest as central nervous system demyelination, primary
hypoadrenalism, and/or primary hypogonadism.
explanation: >-
This links elevated VLCFAs to primary hypogonadism as an endocrine
manifestation of ALD.
- name: Inflammatory cerebral demyelination
description: >-
Childhood cerebral ALD is marked by rapidly progressive inflammatory white
matter demyelination.
locations:
- preferred_term: cerebral hemisphere white matter
term:
id: UBERON:0002437
label: cerebral hemisphere white matter
cell_types:
- preferred_term: oligodendrocyte
term:
id: CL:0000128
label: oligodendrocyte
- preferred_term: microglial cell
term:
id: CL:0000129
label: microglial cell
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: inflammatory response
term:
id: GO:0006954
label: inflammatory response
modifier: INCREASED
- preferred_term: axon ensheathment
term:
id: GO:0008366
label: axon ensheathment
modifier: DECREASED
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy:
A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of Outcome following
Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
This devastating phenotype is characterized by rapidly progressive
central nervous
demyelination and, if untreated, usually death within years of onset of
clinical signs and symptoms.
explanation: >-
This directly supports inflammatory cerebral demyelination as a major
downstream mechanism.
downstream:
- target: CNS demyelination
description: Inflammatory white-matter injury is expressed clinically as CNS demyelination.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral
Adrenoleukodystrophy: A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of
Outcome following Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
This devastating phenotype is characterized by rapidly progressive
central nervous demyelination
explanation: >-
This directly supports CNS demyelination as the clinical expression of
the cerebral inflammatory lesion.
- target: Cerebral White Matter Lesions
description: Active cerebral ALD produces symmetric, expanding white matter lesions on brain MRI.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral
Adrenoleukodystrophy: A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of
Outcome following Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Radiographic changes generally precede clinical neurologic disease by
several years in childhood cALD and are characterized by symmetric,
expanding white matter lesions.
explanation: >-
This supports cerebral white matter lesions as an early radiographic
manifestation of cerebral ALD.
- target: CSF Chitotriosidase Activity
description: Activated monocyte/macrophage neuroinflammation is reported by increased CSF chitotriosidase activity.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_UNKNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral
Adrenoleukodystrophy: A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of
Outcome following Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
CSF chitotriosidase levels, a known inflammatory marker correlating
with outcomes following transplantation.
explanation: >-
This supports CSF chitotriosidase activity as a biomarker readout of
inflammatory cerebral ALD.
- name: Adrenocortical dysfunction
description: >-
ALD frequently involves primary adrenal insufficiency due to adrenal cortex
dysfunction.
locations:
- preferred_term: adrenal cortex
term:
id: UBERON:0001235
label: adrenal cortex
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: steroid hormone secretion
term:
id: GO:0035929
label: steroid hormone secretion
modifier: DECREASED
chemical_entities:
- preferred_term: cortisol
term:
id: CHEBI:17650
label: cortisol
modifier: DECREASED
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy:
A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of Outcome following
Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Mediated by elevated concentrations of very long chain fatty acids, the
disease may manifest as central nervous system demyelination, primary
hypoadrenalism, and/or primary hypogonadism.
explanation: >-
This directly supports adrenal insufficiency as a major tissue-level
consequence of ALD.
downstream:
- target: Adrenal insufficiency
description: Adrenocortical dysfunction is expressed clinically as adrenal insufficiency.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral
Adrenoleukodystrophy: A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of
Outcome following Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Mediated by elevated concentrations of very long chain fatty acids, the
disease may manifest as central nervous system demyelination, primary
hypoadrenalism
explanation: >-
This supports primary hypoadrenalism as the clinical output of adrenal
cortex dysfunction in ALD.
- target: Cortisol
description: Loss of adrenal cortex steroid hormone secretion is measured as decreased serum cortisol.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: Endocrinological examination showed low serum cortisol
explanation: This supports decreased cortisol as a biochemical readout of adrenal insufficiency in ALD.
- target: ACTH
description: Primary adrenal insufficiency is accompanied by compensatory elevation of plasma ACTH.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_UNKNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: with high plasma ACTH
explanation: This supports elevated ACTH as a biochemical readout of primary adrenal insufficiency in ALD.
- target: Hyperpigmentation of the Skin
description: Primary adrenal insufficiency in ALD can present with increased skin pigmentation.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_UNKNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: anorexia, weight loss, and skin pigmentation from 18 years of age.
explanation: The case report supports skin pigmentation as part of the Addison-form ALD presentation.
- target: Weight Loss
description: Addison-form ALD can present with weight loss before neurologic disease is apparent.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_UNKNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: At first visit, his weight had decreased by 12 kg from 57 kg when he was 15 years old.
explanation: The case report directly supports weight loss in an Addison-form ALD presentation.
- target: Anorexia
description: Addison-form ALD can present with anorexia as part of adrenal insufficiency.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_UNKNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: anorexia, weight loss, and skin pigmentation from 18 years of age.
explanation: The case report directly supports anorexia in an Addison-form ALD presentation.
- name: Gonadal dysfunction
description: >-
VLCFA-mediated endocrine tissue injury can also impair gonadal function in
some affected individuals.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy:
A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of Outcome following
Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Mediated by elevated concentrations of very long chain fatty acids, the
disease may manifest as central nervous system demyelination, primary
hypoadrenalism, and/or primary hypogonadism.
explanation: >-
This directly supports gonadal dysfunction as an additional endocrine
consequence of VLCFA accumulation in ALD.
downstream:
- target: Hypogonadism
description: Gonadal dysfunction is expressed clinically as hypogonadism.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral
Adrenoleukodystrophy: A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of
Outcome following Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Mediated by elevated concentrations of very long chain fatty acids, the
disease may manifest as central nervous system demyelination, primary
hypoadrenalism, and/or primary hypogonadism.
explanation: This supports hypogonadism as the clinical output of gonadal dysfunction in ALD.
phenotypes:
- name: Progressive Spastic Paraplegia (AMN)
category: Neurological
subtype: Adrenomyeloneuropathy
description: >-
Progressive spastic paraplegia is the dominant adult neurological
manifestation in adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN), reflecting distal
axonopathy of the corticospinal tracts and posterior columns.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Progressive spastic paraplegia
term:
id: HP:0007020
label: Progressive spastic paraplegia
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301491
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: "AMN is characterized by leg weakness, spasticity, clumsy gait, pain, and bladder and bowel dysfunction"
explanation: >-
GeneReviews documents adrenomyeloneuropathy as the dominant adult
neurologic phenotype, characterized by progressive leg weakness,
spasticity, and gait disturbance.
- name: Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction (AMN)
category: Genitourinary
subtype: Adrenomyeloneuropathy
description: >-
Urinary urgency, incontinence, and bowel dysfunction are recognized
AMN-associated phenotypes attributable to spinal-cord and autonomic
involvement.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Urinary incontinence
term:
id: HP:0000020
label: Urinary incontinence
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301491
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: "AMN is characterized by leg weakness, spasticity, clumsy gait, pain, and bladder and bowel dysfunction"
explanation: >-
GeneReviews documents bladder/bowel dysfunction in adult AMN as
part of the progressive spinal-cord and autonomic phenotype.
- name: Adrenal insufficiency
category: Endocrine
diagnostic: true
description: >-
Primary adrenal insufficiency is a major endocrine presentation of ALD and
may precede neurologic disease.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Adrenal insufficiency
term:
id: HP:0000846
label: Adrenal insufficiency
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy:
A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of Outcome following
Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Mediated by elevated concentrations of very long chain fatty acids, the
disease may manifest as central nervous system demyelination, primary
hypoadrenalism, and/or primary hypogonadism.
explanation: >-
This directly supports adrenal insufficiency as a core phenotype.
- name: Hyperpigmentation of the Skin
category: Endocrine
description: >-
Addison-form ALD can present with increased skin pigmentation as part of
primary adrenal insufficiency.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Hyperpigmentation of the skin
term:
id: HP:0000953
label: Hyperpigmentation of the skin
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: anorexia, weight loss, and skin pigmentation from 18 years of age.
explanation: This supports skin pigmentation as a clinical manifestation in Addison-form ALD.
- name: Weight Loss
category: Constitutional
description: >-
Weight loss can accompany the Addison-only presentation of ALD before
neurologic signs are detected.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Weight loss
term:
id: HP:0001824
label: Weight loss
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: At first visit, his weight had decreased by 12 kg from 57 kg when he was 15 years old.
explanation: This directly supports weight loss in the described ALD Addison-form case.
- name: Anorexia
category: Gastrointestinal
description: >-
Anorexia can be part of the adrenal-insufficiency presentation of ALD.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Anorexia
term:
id: HP:0002039
label: Anorexia
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: anorexia, weight loss, and skin pigmentation from 18 years of age.
explanation: This directly supports anorexia in an Addison-form ALD presentation.
- name: CNS demyelination
category: Neurologic
diagnostic: true
description: >-
Progressive cerebral white matter demyelination is the major neurologic
lesion in cerebral ALD.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: CNS demyelination
term:
id: HP:0007305
label: CNS demyelination
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy:
A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of Outcome following
Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
This devastating phenotype is characterized by rapidly progressive
central nervous demyelination and, if untreated, usually death within
years of onset of clinical signs and symptoms.
explanation: >-
This directly supports CNS demyelination as a defining neurologic
phenotype.
- name: Cerebral White Matter Lesions
category: Neurologic
diagnostic: true
description: >-
Brain MRI can show symmetric, expanding cerebral white matter lesions before
overt neurologic symptoms in childhood cerebral ALD.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Cerebral white matter lesions
term:
id: HP:0002500
label: Abnormal cerebral white matter morphology
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy:
A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of Outcome following
Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Radiographic changes generally precede clinical neurologic disease by
several years in childhood cALD and are characterized by symmetric,
expanding white matter lesions.
explanation: >-
This directly supports cerebral white matter lesions as a radiographic
phenotype in cerebral ALD.
- name: Hypogonadism
category: Endocrine
description: >-
Primary hypogonadism can occur as part of the broader endocrine phenotype
of adrenoleukodystrophy.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Hypogonadism
term:
id: HP:0000135
label: Hypogonadism
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy:
A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of Outcome following
Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Mediated by elevated concentrations of very long chain fatty acids, the
disease may manifest as central nervous system demyelination, primary
hypoadrenalism, and/or primary hypogonadism.
explanation: >-
This directly supports hypogonadism as part of the recognized endocrine
phenotype of ALD.
biochemical:
- name: Plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL)
presence: INCREASED
context: >-
Plasma NfL is a validated prognostic biomarker for cerebral ALD onset
and treatment response, with a cut-off of 8.33 pg/mL discriminating
cALD with 96% accuracy in an independent validation cohort.
biomarker_term:
preferred_term: neurofilament light polypeptide
term:
id: NCIT:C88043
label: Neurofilament Light Polypeptide
readouts:
- target: Inflammatory cerebral demyelination
relationship: READOUT_OF
direction: POSITIVE
endpoint_context: PROGNOSTIC
interpretation: >-
Elevated plasma NfL reports cerebral axonal injury and predicts cALD
onset, supporting early intervention decisions.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37683329
reference_title: "Neurofilament light chain in plasma as a sensitive diagnostic biomarker for the demyelinating onset of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "A plasma NfL cut-off level of 8.33 pg/mL, determined in the assessment cohort, correctly discriminated CALD with an accuracy of 96%"
explanation: >-
Plasma NfL is validated as a high-accuracy biomarker for cerebral
ALD onset across multiple independent cohorts.
- name: Very-long-chain fatty acids
presence: INCREASED
context: Elevated VLCFA levels in plasma are a biochemical hallmark of ALD.
biomarker_term:
preferred_term: very long-chain fatty acid
term:
id: CHEBI:27283
label: very long-chain fatty acid
readouts:
- target: Very long-chain fatty acid accumulation
relationship: READOUT_OF
direction: POSITIVE
endpoint_context: DIAGNOSTIC
interpretation: >-
Elevated plasma VLCFA levels report the biochemical accumulation caused by
ABCD1-related peroxisomal transport failure.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) levels were elevated, and the ABCD1
mutation, p.Gly116Arg, was identified in hemizygous state.
explanation: This supports elevated VLCFA as a diagnostic readout of ABCD1-related ALD.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) levels were elevated, and the ABCD1
mutation, p.Gly116Arg, was identified in hemizygous state.
explanation: This directly supports elevated VLCFA levels as a biochemical hallmark of ALD.
- name: Cortisol
presence: DECREASED
context: Low serum cortisol reflects impaired adrenal steroid hormone secretion in Addison-form ALD.
biomarker_term:
preferred_term: cortisol
term:
id: CHEBI:17650
label: cortisol
readouts:
- target: Adrenocortical dysfunction
relationship: READOUT_OF
direction: NEGATIVE
endpoint_context: DIAGNOSTIC
interpretation: Low cortisol reports adrenal cortex failure in ALD-related primary adrenal insufficiency.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: Endocrinological examination showed low serum cortisol
explanation: This supports low cortisol as a biochemical readout of ALD adrenal involvement.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: Endocrinological examination showed low serum cortisol
explanation: This directly supports decreased cortisol in the Addison-form ALD case.
- name: ACTH
presence: INCREASED
context: High plasma ACTH reflects primary adrenal insufficiency with adrenal cortex failure.
biomarker_term:
preferred_term: corticotropin
term:
id: CHEBI:3892
label: corticotropin
readouts:
- target: Adrenocortical dysfunction
relationship: READOUT_OF
direction: POSITIVE
endpoint_context: DIAGNOSTIC
interpretation: Elevated ACTH supports a primary adrenal insufficiency pattern downstream of adrenal cortex dysfunction.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: with high plasma ACTH
explanation: This supports elevated ACTH as a biochemical readout of primary adrenal insufficiency in ALD.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: with high plasma ACTH
explanation: This directly supports increased ACTH in the Addison-form ALD case.
- name: CSF Chitotriosidase Activity
presence: INCREASED
context: >-
Increased CSF chitotriosidase activity reports activated
monocyte/macrophage inflammation in cerebral ALD and correlates with MRI
gadolinium intensity.
readouts:
- target: Inflammatory cerebral demyelination
relationship: READOUT_OF
direction: POSITIVE
endpoint_context: PROGNOSTIC
interpretation: Higher CSF chitotriosidase activity reports active neuroinflammation in cerebral ALD.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral
Adrenoleukodystrophy: A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of
Outcome following Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
CSF chitotriosidase levels, a known inflammatory marker correlating
with outcomes following transplantation.
explanation: This supports CSF chitotriosidase as a biomarker readout of cerebral ALD neuroinflammation.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy:
A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of Outcome following
Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
the score positively correlated with average concomitant CSF
chitotriosidase activity
explanation: This supports increased CSF chitotriosidase activity as a measurable inflammatory biomarker in cerebral ALD.
genetic:
- name: ABCD1
gene_term:
preferred_term: ABCD1
term:
id: hgnc:61
label: ABCD1
association: X-linked causal pathogenic variant
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is an X-linked disorder caused by a
hemizygous mutation of the ABCD1 gene.
explanation: >-
This directly supports ABCD1 as the disease-causing gene.
- reference: CGGV:assertion_815e0f84-b530-4fd2-81a9-02e02bf352ee-2020-12-18T050000.000Z
reference_title: "ABCD1 / adrenoleukodystrophy (Definitive)"
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: "ABCD1 | HGNC:61 | adrenoleukodystrophy | MONDO:0018544 | XL | Definitive"
explanation: ClinGen classifies the ABCD1-adrenoleukodystrophy gene-disease relationship as definitive with X-linked inheritance.
environmental: []
treatments:
- name: Lentiviral gene therapy (elivaldogene autotemcel / eli-cel)
description: >-
Autologous CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells transduced with a Lenti-D
lentiviral vector carrying ABCD1 cDNA. FDA-approved for early-stage
cerebral ALD. In the phase 2-3 ALD-102 / LTF-304 trials with up to
6 years of follow-up, most boys with early cerebral ALD remained
free of major functional disabilities; one case of treatment-related
myelodysplastic syndrome was reported, identifying insertional
oncogenesis as an ongoing risk.
treatment_term:
preferred_term: gene therapy
term:
id: MAXO:0001001
label: gene therapy
evidence:
- reference: PMID:39383459
reference_title: "Lentiviral Gene Therapy for Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "At month 24, none of these 29 patients had major functional disabilities; overall survival was 94%."
explanation: >-
The ALD-102 phase 2-3 trial validated lentiviral ABCD1 gene therapy
as halting cerebral disease progression in early-stage cALD, with
94% overall survival and 100% major-functional-disability-free at
24 months.
target_mechanisms:
- target: Inflammatory cerebral demyelination
treatment_effect: MODULATES
description: >-
Restoring ABCD1 in microglia / hematopoietic progeny reduces VLCFA
and halts the cerebral neuroinflammatory cascade.
- name: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
description: >-
Early hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the key disease-modifying
intervention for cerebral ALD.
treatment_term:
preferred_term: hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
term:
id: MAXO:0000747
label: hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
evidence:
- reference: PMID:30237433
reference_title: Expanding the concept of peroxisomal diseases and efficient diagnostic system in Japan.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
In the cerebral type of ALD, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is
the only treatment in the early stage, and thus prompt diagnosis will
improve the prognosis of affected patients.
explanation: >-
This directly supports early HSCT as the only disease-modifying therapy
for cerebral ALD in the cited review.
target_mechanisms:
- target: Inflammatory cerebral demyelination
treatment_effect: MODULATES
description: HSCT is used to arrest cerebral disease progression and may act in part by reducing neuroinflammation.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral
Adrenoleukodystrophy: A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of
Outcome following Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
it may, in part, exert its desired effect (arresting further myelin
loss) by quelling neuroinflammation.
explanation: This supports HSCT as a mechanism-targeted intervention for inflammatory cerebral ALD.
target_phenotypes:
- preferred_term: CNS demyelination
term:
id: HP:0007305
label: CNS demyelination
- preferred_term: Cerebral white matter lesions
term:
id: HP:0002500
label: Abnormal cerebral white matter morphology
- name: Glucocorticoid replacement therapy
description: >-
Glucocorticoid replacement treats the cortisol-deficient adrenal
insufficiency presentation of ALD.
treatment_term:
preferred_term: Pharmacotherapy
term:
id: NCIT:C15986
label: Pharmacotherapy
therapeutic_agent:
- preferred_term: glucocorticoid
term:
id: CHEBI:24261
label: glucocorticoid
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: glucocorticoid replacement therapy was initiated.
explanation: This directly supports glucocorticoid replacement therapy for Addison-form ALD.
target_mechanisms:
- target: Adrenocortical dysfunction
treatment_effect: BYPASSES
description: Replacement therapy bypasses impaired adrenal cortisol production by supplying glucocorticoid activity.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: glucocorticoid replacement therapy was initiated.
explanation: This supports glucocorticoid replacement as treatment for adrenal insufficiency in ALD.
target_phenotypes:
- preferred_term: Adrenal insufficiency
term:
id: HP:0000846
label: Adrenal insufficiency
diagnosis:
- name: Plasma very-long-chain fatty acid measurement
description: >-
Plasma VLCFA testing is a first-line biochemical diagnostic assay for
adrenoleukodystrophy.
diagnosis_term:
preferred_term: clinical assessment
term:
id: MAXO:0000487
label: clinical assessment
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) levels were elevated, and the ABCD1
mutation, p.Gly116Arg, was identified in hemizygous state.
explanation: >-
This directly supports plasma VLCFA measurement as a core diagnostic
assay in ALD.
- name: Molecular genetic testing
description: >-
Genetic confirmation of an ABCD1 variant establishes the molecular
diagnosis.
diagnosis_term:
preferred_term: molecular genetic testing
term:
id: MAXO:0000533
label: molecular genetic testing
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) levels were elevated, and the ABCD1
mutation, p.Gly116Arg, was identified in hemizygous state.
explanation: >-
This supports molecular confirmation of ALD by identifying a pathogenic
ABCD1 variant.
- name: Brain MRI
description: >-
MRI is used to detect cerebral white matter lesions and inflammatory disease
progression in cerebral ALD.
diagnosis_term:
preferred_term: magnetic resonance imaging procedure
term:
id: MAXO:0000424
label: magnetic resonance imaging procedure
evidence:
- reference: PMID:26427835
reference_title: >-
Intensity of MRI Gadolinium Enhancement in Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy:
A Biomarker for Inflammation and Predictor of Outcome following
Transplantation in Higher Risk Patients.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Radiographic changes generally precede clinical neurologic disease by
several years in childhood cALD and are characterized by symmetric,
expanding white matter lesions.
explanation: >-
This directly supports MRI as a core diagnostic and surveillance tool in
cerebral ALD.
differential_diagnoses:
- name: Addison disease
description: >-
Isolated primary adrenal insufficiency can be an initial presentation in
adult men before neurologic disease makes ALD apparent.
disease_term:
preferred_term: primary adrenal insufficiency
term:
id: MONDO:0015128
label: primary adrenal insufficiency
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32101828
reference_title: A 29-year-old patient with adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with Addison's disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Evaluating VLCFA levels for ALD diagnosis is important in young adult men
with idiopathic primary adrenal insufficiency as well as in children.
explanation: >-
This directly supports idiopathic primary adrenal insufficiency as an
important differential context in which ALD should be considered.
- name: Metachromatic leukodystrophy
description: >-
Other inherited leukodystrophies can overlap radiographically and
clinically with the cerebral phenotype of ALD.
disease_term:
preferred_term: metachromatic leukodystrophy
term:
id: MONDO:0018868
label: metachromatic leukodystrophy
references:
- reference: PMID:20301491
tags:
- GeneReviews
clinical_trials: []
datasets: []
notes: >-
Initial curation emphasizes the ABCD1-VLCFA mechanism, cerebral
demyelination, adrenal insufficiency, and early-transplant management from
currently cached literature.
This report is retrieval-only and is generated directly from Asta results.
search_papers_by_relevance with snippet_search.