How do you get Leukodystrophy?

Each form of Leukodystrophy is determined genetically, and can be inherited in a recessive, dominant, or x-linked manner depending on the specific form. DNA is essentially the blueprint, made up of thousands of genes, that makes us who we are. One copy of genes is inherited from the mother, and one copy of genes is inherited from the father that makes up our DNA. An inherited genetic disorder, such as Leukodystrophy, is a result of receiving a mutated gene from the mother, farther, or both.

A carrier of a gene mutation is someone who has received it through a recessive inheritance pattern, meaning they received one normal copy of a particular gene and one defective copy. Because the gene is recessive, the normal copy compensates allowing the traits of the defective gene to be suppressed. A person can be a carrier and remain disease free.

In the case of a dominant gene, a single defective copy of a gene can result in disease.

X-linked inheritance refers to the varying transmission of traits based on the sex of the child because genes on the X chromosome do not have a counterpart on the Y chromosome.