Overview
Corticobasal syndrome (CBS), sometimes called corticobasal degeneration syndrome, is a rare neurological condition that affects the brain's ability to control movement and thinking. It belongs to a group of diseases called neurodegenerative disorders, meaning brain cells gradually break down over time. CBS typically affects one side of the body more than the other, causing stiffness, difficulty moving a limb, and a strange feeling that the affected arm or leg has a "mind of its own" — a phenomenon called alien limb syndrome. Over time, the condition can also affect memory, language, and the ability to perform everyday tasks. The underlying cause of CBS is the abnormal buildup of a protein called tau in certain areas of the brain, particularly the cortex (the outer layer) and the basal ganglia (deep brain structures involved in movement). However, CBS is a clinical diagnosis, meaning it describes a pattern of symptoms. In some cases, the underlying brain pathology may turn out to be Alzheimer's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, or other conditions rather than true corticobasal degeneration. There is currently no cure for corticobasal syndrome, and no treatment can slow or stop the disease from progressing. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Medications such as levodopa (used in Parkinson's disease) are sometimes tried but usually provide limited benefit. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy play important roles in helping patients maintain function for as long as possible. Research is ongoing to better understand the disease and develop new therapies.
Key symptoms:
Stiffness and rigidity in one arm or legDifficulty controlling movements on one side of the bodyAlien limb phenomenon — a limb that seems to move on its ownJerky, involuntary muscle movements (myoclonus)Difficulty with balance and walkingTrouble performing skilled hand movements like buttoning a shirtSlowed movement (bradykinesia)Abnormal posture of a hand or foot (dystonia)Speech and language difficultiesTrouble understanding or using numbersMemory problemsDifficulty swallowingChanges in behavior or personalityLoss of sensation or numbness in a limbDepression or apathy
Clinical phenotype terms (22)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Late onset
Begins later in life, typically after age 50
FDA & Trial Timeline
8 eventseQ8Health Corporation d/b/a CareONE Concierge — NA
NeuroEM Therapeutics, Inc. — NA
Oregon Health and Science University — NA
Johns Hopkins University — NA
Technical University of Munich — PHASE2
Johns Hopkins University — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Corticobasal syndrome.
5 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Corticobasal syndrome.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Corticobasal syndrome.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Corticobasal syndrome
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Scrambler Therapy for Corticobasal Syndrome-Associated Pain
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Corticobasal syndrome
New recruiting trial: STELLA-FTD: Examination of a Behavior Change Intervention for FTD Family Care Partners
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Corticobasal syndrome
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is the expected progression of my symptoms, and what should I watch for next?,Are there any medications that might help with my stiffness, muscle jerks, or other symptoms?,What types of therapy — physical, occupational, or speech — would benefit me most right now?,Should I consider genetic testing, especially if there is a family history of brain diseases?,Are there any clinical trials I might be eligible for?,When should we start discussing advance care planning and palliative care options?,What resources and support groups are available for me and my family?
Common questions about Corticobasal syndrome
What is Corticobasal syndrome?
Corticobasal syndrome (CBS), sometimes called corticobasal degeneration syndrome, is a rare neurological condition that affects the brain's ability to control movement and thinking. It belongs to a group of diseases called neurodegenerative disorders, meaning brain cells gradually break down over time. CBS typically affects one side of the body more than the other, causing stiffness, difficulty moving a limb, and a strange feeling that the affected arm or leg has a "mind of its own" — a phenomenon called alien limb syndrome. Over time, the condition can also affect memory, language, and the ab
How is Corticobasal syndrome inherited?
Corticobasal syndrome follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Corticobasal syndrome typically begin?
Typical onset of Corticobasal syndrome is late onset. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Corticobasal syndrome?
Yes — 5 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Corticobasal syndrome on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Corticobasal syndrome?
25 specialists and care centers treating Corticobasal syndrome are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.