The Sunshine Care Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to providing care and support for XDP patients and their families. It also funds and promotes research to find the cure for XDP.
X-Linked Dystonia Parkinsonism or XDP is an adult-onset, genetic movement disorder which primarily affects males of Filipino descent especially those with ancestry from the Visayas region of the Philippines. It is characterized by dystonic and parkinsonian traits. Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder where muscles contract involuntarily resulting in uncontrollable, repetitive movements or abnormal postures. Parkinsonian traits, on the other hand, manifest in symptoms such as slow movements, lack of facial expression, and tremors.
XDP is passed on by genetic carriers or those with an abnormal copy of a gene. The genetic carrier may or may not have the symptoms. In this case, women usually do not have the disease. They can, however, pass the disease onto their male children. These male children have a one in two chance of being afflicted. When the women have female children, they pass on the gene to their daughters but the disease does not manifest in them. Rather, the daughters become obligate carriers—allowing them to pass on the disease to their male children.
Although XDP is a movement disorder that impacts the physical self, it also can impact the patients’ emotional and psychological health. The following factors contribute greatly to a person’s ability to live as well as possible:
The intake of the prescribed medications and regular consultations with your doctor are highly recommended as well.