National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Neurofibromatosis

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic disease that causes tumors to develop in the nervous system.[1] There are three types of neurofibromatosis that are each associated with unique signs and symptoms:[1][2][3] All three types of NF are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. There is no cure for NF. Treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms and may include surgery to remove tumors, radiation therapy, and/or medicines.[2][3]
Last updated: 2/16/2017
Neurofibromatosis is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.[1] This means that to be affected, a person only needs a change (mutation) in one copy of the responsible gene in each cell. In some cases, an affected person inherits the mutation from an affected parent. Other cases may result from new (de novo) mutations in the gene. These cases occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family. A person with neurofibromatosis has a 50% chance with each pregnancy of passing along the altered gene to his or her child.
Last updated: 7/27/2015

If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.

If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.

Healthcare Resources

  • The Neurofibromatosis Network provides a tool for locating a neurofibromatosis specialist in your area. Click on Neurofibromatosis Network to access the tool.

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Neurofibromatosis. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.
  • The Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool (RePORT) provides access to reports, data, and analyses of research activities at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including information on NIH expenditures and the results of NIH-supported research. Although these projects may not conduct studies on humans, you may want to contact the investigators to learn more. To search for studies, enter the disease name in the "Text Search" box. Then click "Submit Query".

Patient Registry

  • A registry supports research by collecting of information about patients that share something in common, such as being diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis. The type of data collected can vary from registry to registry and is based on the goals and purpose of that registry. Some registries collect contact information while others collect more detailed medical information. Learn more about registries.

    Registries for Neurofibromatosis:
    NF Registry
     

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • DermNet NZ is an online resource about skin diseases developed by the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated. DermNet NZ provides information about this condition.
  • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
  • The National Human Genome Research Institute's (NHGRI) website has an information page on this topic. NHGRI is part of the National Institutes of Health and supports research on the structure and function of the human genome and its role in health and disease.
  • The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) collects and disseminates research information related to neurological disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.

In-Depth Information

  • GeneReviews provides current, expert-authored, peer-reviewed, full-text articles describing the application of genetic testing to the diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling of patients with specific inherited conditions.
    Neurofibromatosis type 1
    Neurofibromatosis type 2
  • MeSH® (Medical Subject Headings) is a terminology tool used by the National Library of Medicine. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Neurofibromatosis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

News

Other Conferences

  • Neurofibromatoses and RASopathies: Their Management, Diagnosis, Current and Future Therapeutic Avenues
    Monday, September 30, 2013 - Tuesday, October 01, 2013
    Location: Radisson Blu Hotel, Cardiff, Wales
    Description: This international meeting will provide a most comprehensive and up to date account of recent developments in this field. Internationally recognized experts from the UK, Europe and the USA will speak on neurofibromatoses and rasopathies. This meeting will be suitable for medical geneticists, oncologists, dermatologists, neurologists, endocrinologists, psychiatrists, molecular and cellular biologists, genetic counsellors and general practitioners.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.

  1. Learning About Neurofibromatosis. National Human Genome Research Institute. March 2014; http://www.genome.gov/14514225.
  2. Neurofibromatosis. MedlinePlus. 2017; http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/neurofibromatosis.html.
  3. Neurofibromatosis Fact Sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. April 2014; http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/neurofibromatosis/detail_neurofibromatosis.htm.