What is Canavan disease?

What is Canavan disease?

Canavan disease is a rare genetic disorder that affects your brain. It’s a neurodegenerative condition, meaning your brain abnormality worsens over time. Lack of an important brain chemical makes your brain become spongy, and it doesn’t function correctly.

Canavan disease is part of a group of diseases called leukodystrophies. They’re rare, genetic, disorders that affect your brain, spinal cord and nerves, and symptoms worsen over time.