Adrenoleukodystrpohy (ALD) and Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) are two rare diseases caused by the same genetic mutation.
Being a genetic condition means that the illness caused by abnormalities in genes or chromosomes.
This condition is inherited in an X-linked pattern. A condition is considered X-linked if the mutated gene that causes the disorder is located on the X chromosome, one of the two sex chromosomes in each cell. In males (who have only one X chromosome), one altered copy of the gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the condition. Because females have two copies of the X chromosome, one altered copy of the gene in each cell usually leads to less severe symptoms in females than in males, or may cause no symptoms at all. (Source: http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/x-linked-adrenoleukodystrophy)
Being a genetic condition it could affect others in your family. If you or anyone else in the family is diagnosed with ALD or AMN you will need to collect your family history and inform your siblings for genetic testing. Genetic counsellors can help you with any concerns around the impact on you and your family of being diagnosed with a genetic condition http://www.nsgc.org/
As ALD and AMN have different prognosis, treatments and are included in different programmes for trials we have decided to treat them separately. Please, go on the pages What is ALD and What is AMN for more information on one specific condition