Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
close window
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffBecause there isn't a way to repair chromosome defects, there's no cure for Angelman syndrome. Treatment focuses on managing the medical and developmental problems that the chromosome defects cause.
A team of health care professionals will likely work with you to manage your child's condition. Depending on your child's signs and symptoms, treatment for Angelman syndrome may involve the following:
- Anti-seizure medication. Medication may be necessary to control seizures caused by Angelman syndrome.
- Physical therapy. Children with Angelman syndrome may learn to walk better and overcome other movement problems with the help of physical therapy.
- Communication therapy. Although people with Angelman syndrome usually don't develop verbal language beyond simple sentences, communication therapy can be helpful. Nonverbal language skills may be developed through sign language and picture communication.
- Behavior therapy. Behavior therapy can help children with Angelman syndrome overcome hyperactivity and a short attention span, which can aid in developmental progress. Although the level of development people with Angelman syndrome can achieve varies widely, many are outgoing and are able to build relationships with friends and family.
References
- NINDS Angelman syndrome information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/angelman/angelman.htm. Accessed Sept. 22, 2011.
- Angelman syndrome. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=angelmansyndrome. Accessed Sept. 22, 2011.
- Dagli AI, et al. Angelman syndrome. In: Pagon RA, et al. GeneReviews. Seattle, Wash.: University of Washington; 2011. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1144/?report=printable. Accessed Sept. 23, 2011.
- Diagnostic testing. Angelman Syndrome Foundation. http://www.angelman.org/healthcare-professionals/diagnostic-testing/. Accessed Sept. 22, 2011.
Find Mayo Clinic on