HSAN1, previously
known as HSN1,
stands for Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathy Type 1. HSAN1 is a little-known, peripheral neuropathy characterized by severe sensory loss (ie. temperature, pressure, pain) starting in the extremities, usually in the feet first.
This sensory loss often leads to:
Painless injuries
Chronic skin ulcers that have difficulty healing
Progressive destruction of underlying bones
Bone infections
Chronic shooting pains in the extremities
Muscle wasting
Amputation of fingers or toes
Eventual motor impairment
HSAN1 is a dominantly inherited disease, meaning that a child of an affected parent has a 50/50 chance of also getting the disease. HSAN1 is an adult onset disease, with symptoms typically becoming present by the late teens or second decade of life. Although HSAN1 is not a terminal disease, it is a progressively debilitating disease, and many affected patients often require surgeries or the use of walking aids, such as canes, braces, or wheelchairs.
