Coverage: 2020-01-01 onwards, with up to 300 results per query from PubMed and Europe PMC and separate limits on other sources. This is a selected index, not a complete literature search.

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ICD E75.2ORPHA:141

Canavan Disease

Canavan disease is a rare inherited disorder in which the enzyme aspartoacylase is missing or faulty, so a substance called N-acetylaspartic acid builds up and damages the white matter of the brain. Babies usually show poor head control, low muscle tone, a large head and delays in development. There is no cure, so care focuses on feeding support, seizure control, physiotherapy and comfort, while gene therapy is being studied in trials.

87
Articles
3
Trials
Updated
25 September 2026
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Common Questions

What is Canavan Disease?

Canavan disease is a rare inherited disorder in which the enzyme aspartoacylase is missing or faulty, so a substance called N-acetylaspartic acid builds up and damages the white matter of the brain. Babies usually show poor head control, low muscle tone, a large head and delays in development. There is no cure, so care focuses on feeding support, seizure control, physiotherapy and comfort, while gene therapy is being studied in trials.

How many clinical trials are available for Canavan Disease?

RareWays currently indexes 3 clinical trials for Canavan Disease, of which 1 is actively recruiting. Trial availability changes as new studies are registered — check the trials tab for current status.

Where does the research data for Canavan Disease come from?

RareWays aggregates research from PubMed, Europe PMC, OpenAlex, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Data is refreshed automatically every day. All articles and trials link directly to their original sources.

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