Kennedy’s Disease (KD) - also known as Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA) - is a rare, inherited neuromuscular disorder. It is also referred to as X-linked recessive bulbospinal neuropathy or X-linked spinal and bulbar atrophy.

KD is an adult onset, progressive disorder, characterized by the degeneration of lower motor neurons within the spinal cord and brainstem. This causes progressive weakening and wasting of the muscles particularly in the arms and legs. Please read What is Kennedy's Disease to learn more about the disease.

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Unfortunately, there is no know treatment or cure, but researchers continue to make strides every year. Some individuals living with KD do take medications prescribed by their medical doctor to help alleviate various symptoms. Others have reported that a smart (light) exercise program coupled with stretching helps.  If you have questions, visit the KDA Forum or contact the KDA.

Kennedy's Disease is a motor neuron disease, which involves the gradual degeneration of nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement.

Motor neurons are long nerve cells that extend from your spinal cord to your muscles. These nerve cells fire to make your muscles contract. In KD, the nerve cells become dysfunctional and eventually die, leaving the muscles unable to contract.

The androgen receptor is a protein that resides inside the nerve cell. Many cells have the androgen receptor protein, but motor neurons have more than most. The binding of testosterone to an androgen receptor somehow causes the onset of the disease. Men are generally affected by KD because they have much higher levels of testosterone than women.