What is CADASIL?
CADASIL is a genetic disease affecting the small blood vessels of the brain. It leads to poor irrigation of certain areas of the brain which causes symptoms that vary greatly from one person to another. Its name means “Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy,”
CADASIL is due to an anomaly (mutation) of a unique gene called NOTCH3, located on chromosome 19. This gene is involved in the formation of blood vessels and their functioning. This anomaly has an impact on the irrigation of blood in the brain.
It affects both men and women equally. Each child of a person carrying the mutated gene has a 50% risk of inheriting it It is important for you to know that there is nothing that you or your family did that caused you to inherit the CADASIL gene. We have no control over the genes we inherit, just as we have no control over the genes we pass on to our own children.
Currently, there is no treatment that can cure or prevent the progression of the disease. A healthy lifestyle and the treatment of symptoms as they appear can improve the quality of life of patients. Smoking is a proven aggravating factor for the disease.
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