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Amyloidosis

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Amyloidosis is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

None

Disorder Subdivisions

Primary Amyloidosis
Secondary Amyloidosis
Hereditary Amyloidosis
Localized Amyloidosis

General Discussion

Amyloidosis is a group of disorders caused by abnormal folding of proteins leading to fibril formation in one or more body organs, systems or soft tissues. These clumps of protein are called amyloid deposits and the accumulation of amyloid deposits causes the progressive malfunction and eventual failure of the affected organ. Normally, proteins are broken down at about the same rate as they are produced, but these unusually stable amyloid deposits are deposited more rapidly than they can be broken down. The accumulation may be localized in one organ or may be systemic such that several organs are affected.

The different types of systemic amyloidosis are sometimes classified as primary, secondary or hereditary. Primary amyloidosis (also called AL) is the most common type of systemic amyloidosis. It is caused by an abnormal plasma cell in the bone marrow and sometimes occurs with multiple myeloma. Secondary amyloidosis (also called AA) occurs in association with another disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, familial Mediterranean fever or other chronic infection or inflammatory disease. Hereditary amyloidosis is a rare type of amyloidosis that is caused by an abnormal gene. There are several abnormal genes that can cause hereditary amyloidosis, but the most common type of hereditary amyloidosis is called ATTR and caused by a mutations in the TTR gene.

Beta2-microglobulin amyloidosis (Aß2M) is a type of systemic amyloidosis that can occur in patients who have experienced long-term kidney dialysis to remove accumulated impurities or wastes in the blood by mechanical filtration.
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Resources

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com

NIH/National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
USA
Tel: 3014954484
Fax: 3017186366
Tel: 8772264267
TDD: 3015652966
Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.niams.nih.gov

Association Fransaise Contre l'amylose
66, rue Saint Jacques
Immeuble le Pacin II
Marseille, Intl 13006
France
Tel: 04 42 94 90 86
Fax: 04 42 94 90 87
Internet: http://www.amylose.asso.fr

Amyloidosis Network International
7118 Cole Creek Drive
Houston, TX 77092
Tel: (713)466-4351
Tel: (888)269-5643

Jack Miller Center for Peripheral Neuropathy
University of Chicago
5841 S. Maryland Ave, MC 2030
Chicago, IL 60637
Tel: (773)702-5800
Fax: (773)702-5577
Email: information-millercenter@neurology.bsd.uchicago.edu
Internet: http://millercenter.uchicago.edu

Amyloidosis Support Groups, Inc
232 Orchard Drive
Wood Dale, IL 60191
Tel: (630)350-7539
Fax: (847)350-0577
Tel: (866)404-7539
Email: muriel@amyloidosissupport.com
Internet: http://www.amyloidosissupport.com

Amyloidosis Australia, Inc.
17 Victoria Street
Ferntree Gully
Victoria, 3156
Australia
Tel: (+61)03 9758 2172
Fax: (+61)03 9758 2172
Email: ellen@amyloidosisaustralia.org
Internet: http://www.amyloidosisaustralia.org

Amyloidosis Foundation
7151 N. Main St.
Suite 208
Clarkston, MI 48346
Tel: (248)922-9610
Fax: (248)922-9620
Tel: (877)269-5643
Email: modonnell@amyloidosisresearchfoundation.org
Internet: http://www.amyloidosisresearchfoundation.org

UCSF Hemophilia Treatment Center
400 Parnassus Ave.
First Floor
San Francisco, CA 94143
Tel: (415)353-2986
Fax: (415)353-2600
Internet: http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/medical_services/blood/hemophilia/index.html

People Living With Cancer
1900 Duke Street
Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: (703)299-0150
Fax: (703)684-8618
Tel: (888)651-3038
Email: contactus@plwc.org
Internet: http://www.plwc.org

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 5/29/2007
Copyright 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: May 29, 2007

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.