Alexander Disease (also known as Alexander's Disease, Alexanders Disease): Rare leukoencephalopathy with infantile-onset accumulation of Rosenthal fibers in the subpial, periventricular, and subependymal zones of the brain. Rosenthal fibers are GLIAL FIBRILLARY ACIDIC PROTEIN aggregates found in ASTROCYTES. Juvenile- a

NIH MeSH · D038261Diseases

Alexander Disease

Also known asAlexander's Disease · Alexanders Disease · Demyelinogenic Leukodystrophy · Dysmyelinogenic Leukodystrophy · Fibrinoid Degeneration of Astrocytes · Leukodystrophy with Rosenthal Fibers

Definition

Rare leukoencephalopathy with infantile-onset accumulation of Rosenthal fibers in the subpial, periventricular, and subependymal zones of the brain. Rosenthal fibers are GLIAL FIBRILLARY ACIDIC PROTEIN aggregates found in ASTROCYTES. Juvenile- and adult-onset types show progressive atrophy of the lower brainstem instead. De novo mutations in the GFAP gene are associated with the disease with propensity for paternal inheritance.

MeSH classification

  • C10.228.140.163.100.362.312
  • C10.228.140.695.625.312
  • C10.314.400.312
  • C10.574.500.024
  • C16.320.400.024
  • C16.320.565.189.362.312
  • C18.452.132.100.362.312
  • C18.452.648.189.362.312

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Common questions about Alexander Disease

What does Alexander Disease mean in medicine?
Rare leukoencephalopathy with infantile-onset accumulation of Rosenthal fibers in the subpial, periventricular, and subependymal zones of the brain. Rosenthal fibers are GLIAL FIBRILLARY ACIDIC PROTEIN aggregates found in ASTROCYTES. Juvenile- and adult-onset types show progressive atrophy of the lower brainstem instead. De novo mutations in the GFAP gene are associated with the disease with propensity for paternal inheritance. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Alexander Disease known by any other names?
Yes. Alexander Disease is also referred to as Alexander's Disease, Alexanders Disease, Demyelinogenic Leukodystrophy, Dysmyelinogenic Leukodystrophy in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Alexander Disease sit in the medical classification?
Alexander Disease falls under the broader medical category "Diseases" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: C10.228.140.163.100.362.312, C10.228.140.695.625.312, C10.314.400.312). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Alexander Disease?
For a plain-language explanation of Alexander Disease - including symptoms, treatments and what it means for an Indian patient - ask GoDavaii's Health AI. It works in 22+ Indian languages, is free and needs no signup. Tap "Ask GoDavaii AI about Alexander Disease" above.

Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D038261) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗