NINDS Aicardi Syndrome Information Page

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Aicardi Syndrome

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Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)
What is Aicardi Syndrome?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?

Organizations

What is Aicardi Syndrome?
Aicardi Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the partial or complete absence of the structure that links the two hemispheres of the brain, the corpus callosum. The disorder affects only girls. Onset of Aicardi Syndrome generally begins between the ages of 3 and 5 months with infantile spasms, a type of childhood seizure. Symptoms include seizures, mental retardation and lesions on the retina of the eye that are specific to the disorder. Aicardi Syndrome may be associated with other brain defects such as a smaller than average brain and cavities or gaps in the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid.

Is there any treatment?

There is no cure for Aicardi Syndrome nor is there a standard course of treatment. Treatment generally involves medical management of seizures and programs to help parents and the child cope with developmental delays.

What is the prognosis?

The prognosis for girls with Aicardi Syndrome varies according to the severity of their symptoms.

What research is being done?

The NINDS supports and conducts research on neurogenetic disorders such as Aicardi Syndrome. The goals of this research are to locate and understand the genes involved and to develop techniques to diagnose, treat, prevent, and ultimately cure the disorder.

Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.

Organizations

Aicardi Syndrome Foundation P.O. Box 3202 St. Charles, IL 60174 http://www.aicardisyndrome.org Tel: 800-374-8518	Aicardi Syndrome Newsletter, Inc. 1510 Polo Fields Court Louisville, KY 40245 aicnews@aol.com http://www.aicardisyndrome.org Tel: 502-244-9152
The Arc of the United States 1010 Wayne Avenue Suite 650 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Info@thearc.org http://www.thearc.org Tel: 301-565-3842 Fax: 301-565-3843 or -5342	March of Dimes Foundation 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue White Plains, NY 10605 askus@marchofdimes.com http://www.marchofdimes.com Tel: 914-428-7100 888-MODIMES (663-4637) Fax: 914-428-8203
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 1968 (55 Kenosia Avenue) Danbury, CT 06813-1968 orphan@rarediseases.org http://www.rarediseases.org Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673) Fax: 203-798-2291	National Eye Institute (NEI) National Institutes of Health, DHHS 31 Center Drive, Rm. 6A32 MSC 2510 Bethesda, MD 20892-2510 2020@nei.nih.gov http://www.nei.nih.gov Tel: 301-496-5248
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) National Institutes of Health, DHHS 6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663 Bethesda, MD 20892-9663 nimhinfo@nih.gov http://www.nimh.nih.gov Tel: 301-443-4513/866-615-NIMH (-6464) 301-443-8431 (TTY) Fax: 301-443-4279

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NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

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Last updated February 08, 2007