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

McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome

McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome is primarily a neurological disorder that occurs almost exclusively in males. Only about 150 cases have been reported worldwide. This condition affects movement in many parts of the body. People with this condition also have abnormal star-shaped red blood cells (acanthocytosis). This condition is one of a group of disorders called neuroacanthocytoses that involve neurological problems and abnormal red blood cells. McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome is inherited in an X-linked recessive fashion and is caused by mutations in the XK gene.[1]
Last updated: 7/15/2011
The signs and symptoms of McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome include muscle weakness (myopathy); muscle degeneration (atrophy); and involuntary jerking movements (chorea), particularly of the arms and legs. People with this condition may also have reduced sensation and weakness in their arms and legs (peripheral neuropathy). Involuntary tensing of muscles (dystonia) in the face and throat can cause grimacing and vocal tics (such as grunting and clicking noises). About half of all people with McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome have seizures. Individuals with this condition may develop difficulty processing, learning, and remembering information (cognitive impairment). Heart problems such as irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia) and a weakened and enlarged heart (dilated cardiomyopathy) are also frequently seen in individuals with this condition.[1]

The signs and symptoms of McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome usually begin in mid-adulthood. Behavioral changes, such as lack of self-restraint, the inability to take care of oneself, anxiety, depression, and changes in personality may be the first signs of this condition. While these behavioral changes are typically not progressive, the movement problems and intellectual impairments that are characteristic of this condition tend to worsen with age.[1]

For a comprehensive review of the signs and symptoms of McLeod neuroacanthocytosis, you can visit GeneReviews at the following link. 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.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1354/#mcleod.Clinical_Description
Last updated: 7/15/2011

Making a diagnosis for a genetic or rare disease can often be challenging. Healthcare professionals typically look at a person’s medical history, symptoms, physical exam, and laboratory test results in order to make a diagnosis. The following resources provide information relating to diagnosis and testing for this condition. If you have questions about getting a diagnosis, you should contact a healthcare professional.

Testing Resources

  • The Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) provides information about the genetic tests for this condition. The intended audience for the GTR is health care providers and researchers. Patients and consumers with specific questions about a genetic test should contact a health care provider or a genetics professional.
  • Orphanet lists international laboratories offering diagnostic testing for this condition.
There are currently no treatments to prevent or slow the progression of McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome and treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Medications that block dopamine, such as some of the antipsychotics, may decrease the involuntary movements. Botulinum toxin injections usually improve symptoms of dystonia. A feeding tube may be needed for individuals with feeding difficulties to maintain proper nutrition. Seizures may be treated with a variety of anticonvulsants, and antidepressants may also be appropriate for some individuals. Speech, occupational, and physical therapy may also be beneficial.[2]

For a comprehensive review of treatment for McLeod neuroacanthocytosis, you can visit GeneReviews at the following link. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1354/#mcleod.Management
Last updated: 7/15/2011

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

Related diseases are conditions that have similar signs and symptoms. A health care provider may consider these conditions in the table below when making a diagnosis. Please note that the table may not include all the possible conditions related to this disease.

Conditions with similar signs and symptoms from Orphanet
The differential diagnoses depend on the presenting symptoms and include chorea-acanthocytosis, Huntington disease, Huntington disease-like disorders, and Tourette's syndrome (see these terms).
Visit the Orphanet disease page for more information.

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

  • Orphanet lists European clinical trials, research studies, and patient registries enrolling people with this condition. 

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

Social Networking Websites

  • RareConnect has an online community for patients and families with this condition so they can connect with others and share their experiences living with a rare disease. The project is a joint collaboration between EURORDIS (European Rare Disease Organisation) and NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders).

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

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.
  • 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.
  • 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. 
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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. Submit a new question

  • I have McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome. I developed symptoms around age 14. What is the current treatment? I would also be interested in finding people doing research on this condition. I have ticks but I also have muscles that become tight and I believe this has something to do with the movements my body does without control. Is this typical? I also have complex seizures and grand mal seizures from this illness. Is this common? Also, my left side of my body only seems to be affected by loss of feeling or it has intense pain. I also cannot feel hot and cold in most of my body. See answer


  1. McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome. Genetics Home Reference. May 2008; http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/mcleod-neuroacanthocytosis-syndrome. Accessed 7/15/2011.
  2. NINDS Neuroacanthocytosis Information Page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). March 16, 2009; http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/neuroacanthocytosis/neuroacanthocytosis.htm. Accessed 8/21/2015.