Familial Dysautonomia
Background
Familial Dysautonomia (FD) is one example of a group of disorders known as hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies (HSAN). The various HSAN disorders are believed to be genetically distinct from each other. Unlike other HSAN, Familial Dysautonomia has been only noted in individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish extraction causing dysfunction of the autonomic and sensory nervous systems. Dysfunction is a result of an incomplete development of the neurons (nerve fibres) of these systems.
For information on Riley-Day syndrome and related dysautonomias see Metabolic diseases.