ALD is a demyelinating disease which manifests itself in infancy or early childhood. Myelin is the white matter which insulates our nerves and allows for the transmission of nerve impulses - the messages which control our bodies. Afflicted by ALD, previously healthly children are deprived, in rapid progression, of sight, hearing, speech, and ambulation.

 

The Myelin Project is a charitable foundation which aims to accelerate research on myelin repair. The project was founded by Augusto and Michaela Odone, parents of Lorenzo, who is afflicted with ALD. The Odone's struggle against ALD was dramatized in the 1992 Universal Studios movie Lorenzo's Oil starring Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandon.