What Causes Moyamoya Disease?
Doctors do not fully understand what causes moyamoya disease. It can be an inherited condition or appear as an isolated, random disease. We will be going through genetic testing in a couple of months.
Julianna Is currently being studied by doctors. She's agreed to let them research and study her records and imaging.. there were only about 7 people in all of Nevada who were diagnosed with this disease just last year.
What is moyamoya disease?
Moyamoya is a rare vascular disease of the brain in which the main arteries that supply blood to your brain become narrowed and blocked. In moyamoya disease, the carotid arteries narrow over time. You have two carotid arteries on either side of your neck that carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your brain.
In moyamoya disease, at least one carotid artery — and sometimes both — narrows or closes. In Juliannas case it was on her left side. Additionally, the front and/or middle cerebral arteries can be blocked. These key arteries deliver blood and oxygen to the front two-thirds of your brain. Over time, your brain forms new blood vessels to make up for the blood and oxygen lost from the blockage. But since these blood vessels are formed as emergency backup vessels, they're smaller and often weaker than the blocked artery. These smaller, backup arteries often can't supply enough blood to your brain. This may lead to brain bleeds and strokes in affected areas of your brain.
What are the symptoms of moyamoya disease?
The first sign of moyamoya disease is often stroke or repeated transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). Providers call these “mini-strokes.” Other symptoms may include:
* Brain hemorrhage (bleeding).
* Headaches.
* Developmental delays.
* Aneurysm (bulging or ballooning of a blood vessel, which can burst).
* Involuntary movements (when your body parts move without your control).
* Problems with cognitive abilities (like learning, remembering and paying attention).
* Problems with your senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste).
* Seizures.
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