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leukodystrophy

noun
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leu·​ko·​dys·​tro·​phy | \ ˌlü-kō-ˈdi-strə-fē How to pronounce leukodystrophy (audio) \
plural leukodystrophies

Definition of leukodystrophy

: any of several genetically determined diseases characterized by progressive degeneration of myelin in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves

Examples of leukodystrophy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Metachromatic leukodystrophy, or MLD, is a rare, hereditary disease that leads to premature death. — Priscilla Totiyapungprasert, The Arizona Republic, "'Something out of a movie': How a community restored one family's 'faith in humanity'," 5 Sep. 2020 Metachromatic leukodystrophy is the result of a genetic mutation, and leads to a breakdown of the protective covering around nerve cells and nerve fibers, known as myelin. — Lisa Schencker, chicagotribune.com, "No. No. No. No. No. An insurer rejected out-of-state treatment for a 4-year-old’s rare disease five times. It relented, but why is getting an OK so hard?," 15 Nov. 2019 More recently, Evelyn Chizzo had been diagnosed with leukodystrophy, which is a rare genetic disease that affects the brain and nervous system. — Rich Mayor, chicagotribune.com, "With her sister in mind, OPRF’s Natalie Chizzo excited to play, study at Northwestern," 5 Oct. 2019 Pennsylvania is one of the few states in the U.S. where someone diagnosed with metachromatic leukodystrophy gets fast-tracked for Medicaid. — Maria Kefalas, STAT, "Medicaid covers sick or dying children. But it takes ‘going to battle’ to get it," 2 Dec. 2019 The four-year-old has a rare disease called metachromatic leukodystrophy that could rob him of the ability to walk, sit and hold up his own head within the next year. — Chicago Tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, "Daywatch: Cash for teachers contract relies on risky assumptions, lessons learned from last winter’s polar vortex and other things to know about to start your day," 18 Nov. 2019 After further testing, he was diagnosed with metachromatic leukodystrophy in July of this year. — Lisa Schencker, chicagotribune.com, "No. No. No. No. No. An insurer rejected out-of-state treatment for a 4-year-old’s rare disease five times. It relented, but why is getting an OK so hard?," 15 Nov. 2019 Doctors knew Massimo suffered from a type of leukodystrophy, a genetic disorder of the central nervous system that destroys the brain’s white matter. — Wired, "One Scientist’s Quest to Bring DNA Sequencing to Every Sick Kid," 30 Aug. 2019 Ollie passed away in December due to a rare genetic disorder, leukodystrophy, which affects the neural anatomy of a person in a variety of ways. — Joe Mario Pedersen, orlandosentinel.com, "Disney rejects father’s requests to put Spider-Man on son’s grave: report," 5 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'leukodystrophy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of leukodystrophy

1960, in the meaning defined above

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The first known use of leukodystrophy was in 1960

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Cite this Entry

“Leukodystrophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leukodystrophy. Accessed 18 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for leukodystrophy

leukodystrophy

noun
leu·​ko·​dys·​tro·​phy
variants: or chiefly British leucodystrophy \ ˌlü-​kō-​ˈdis-​trə-​fē How to pronounce leukodystrophy (audio) \
plural leukodystrophies

Medical Definition of leukodystrophy

: any of several inherited diseases (as adrenoleukodystrophy) characterized by progressive degeneration of myelin in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves

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