Intrathecal baclofen in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder i nvolving the destruction of white matter in the brain and adrenocortical ho rmone deficiency. Clinical symptoms first appear between 4 and 8 years of a ge and include spasticity, visual loss, dysphagia, and seizures. In this re port, continuous infusion of intrathecal baclofen was used to treat the sev ere spasticity of an 8-year-old patient with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy. The improvement in this patient's quality of life, including the eliminati on of pain and the increased ease of care, suggests that intrathecal baclof en should be considered as part of the treatment strategy for spasticity as sociated with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy and other neurodegenerative dis orders in children and adults. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.