Cerebral lipidosis, now replaced by the term cerebral sphingolipidoses (lysosomal lipid storage diseases or just sphingolipidoses are also used), is a group of metabolic disorders that arise from genetic mutations (predominantly autosomal recessive), which promote accumulation of lipids (sphingomyelins) and other associated products in the brain and the central nervous system (CNS) [1] [2] [3] [4]. One of the most important features of these conditions is a severe neonatal or infantile form of the disease, distinguished by marked neurological deterioration, convulsions, both upper and lower motor neuron deficits, and weakness, all frequently leading to death in the first few years of life [1] [4] [5] [6] [7]. On the other hand, juvenile and adult forms show a generally slower clinical course with less severe symptoms of neurodegeneration [1] [5] [6] [7]. The following conditions are included in this group [1] [3] [4] [8]:

• GM1 gangliosidosis - Stems from autosomal recessive mutations in the GM1-β-galactosidase gene resulting in the deficiency of the GM1-β-galactosidase enzyme [1].
• GM2 Gangliosidosis - Hexosaminidase A (HEX A) deficiency leads to Tay-Sachs disease (or GM2 gangliosidosis, due to the buildup of GM2 ganglioside) that has a similar clinical presentation to other cerebral lipidoses.
• Sandhoff disease - Mutations in the hexosaminidase B (HEXB) gene lead to a very early onset of psychomotor retardation (many patients present before 9 months of age) and death [9].
• Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) - Deficiency of the arylsulphatase A (ASA) gene is the main pathological event in MLD, which causes a demyelinating form of cerebral lipidosis [1].
• Krabbe disease - Similarly to MLD, Krabbe disease causes a severe and often fatal demyelinating disease in infancy, whereas a much longer life expectancy is seen with juvenile and adult forms [1] [5].
• Gaucher disease - Described as the most common sphingolipidosis (diagnosed in approximately 1 per 50,000-200,000 births), Gaucher disease predominantly presents as a milder form (type I), but a severe neonatal course (type II) and a juvenile onset of intermediate complaints (type III) are described as well [1]. In addition to central nervous system (CNS) complaints, hepatosplenomegaly and anemia/thrombocytopenia are typically encountered [1].
• Niemann-Pick disease - Three types of Niemann-Pick disease exist in the literature - types A and B arise from mutations in the sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1 (SMPD1) gene that result in the accumulation of sphingomyelin in cells [1]. Type A is universally fatal in infancy, whereas type B can present with a highly variable spectrum of symptoms, but a normal life expectancy can be observed without prominent CNS symptoms [1]. Conversely, Niemann-pick disease type C (NPC) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by defects in cholesterol transport, but it also results in sphingomyelin accumulation, with vertical gaze palsy being a clinical hallmark in addition to CNS symptoms [1] [6].

• Progressive Dementia

  A case of Kufs's disease. ( 5457866 ) 1970 7 Progressive dementia in childhood due to cerebral lipidosis. ( 5349188 ) Gilligan B.S. 1969 8 EEG patterns in juvenile cerebral lipidosis. ( 4184160 ) Ellingson R.J....Schain R.J. 1969 9 Cerebral lipidosis [malacards.org]

• Veterinarian

  Designed for the mixed practice large animal veterinarian, veterinary students, and camelid caretakers alike, Llama and Alpaca Care covers all major body systems, herd health, physical examination, nutrition, reproduction, surgery, anesthesia, and multisystem [books.google.de]

• Respiratory Disorders

  The text covers circulatory disorders such as septal defects, aortic runoff, and transposition of the great arteries; respiratory disorders and its pathophysiology and ethiology; and disorders of the endocrine system. [books.google.es]

• Fasciculation of the Tongue

  Reinvestigation, in Janu- ary 1965, showed the following findings: fasciculation of the tongue, marked finger tremor, muscular rigidity and exaggeration of the deep reflexes. [docslide.net]

• Small Face

  I find it hard not to be haunted by her small face grinning out at me from drawings and photographs, eyes sparkling, mischief just out of sight. [stephaniewrites.wordpress.com]

• Distractibility

  Back to Glossary Pathological demand avoidance syndrome (PDA) is a *condition in which individuals resist and avoid the ordinary demands of life, using skillful strategies which are socially manipulative (distracting adults, using excuses, appearing to [researchautism.net]

• Seizure

  In the gangliosidoses and late in the course of the leukodystrophies, seizures will present management problems... [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  These specialists can help you manage your baby ’s seizures with medication. Respiratory health. [webmd.com]

  With types C and D NPD, there is significant nervous system damage leading to severe muscle spasms, seizures, and eventually coma and death. [encyclopedia.com]

  Providence Patient This young doctor cleared up questions my wife and I had concerning the seizure of [...]. Providence Patient Very knowledgeable. Providence Patient Dr. Atkinson is SUPER! Very professional, knowledgeable, and funny!!! [providence.org]

• Convulsions

  Any one of a group of inherited diseases characterised by failure to thrive, hypertonicity, progressive spastic paralysis, loss of vision and occurrence of blindness, usually with macular degeneration and optic atrophy, convulsions, and mental deterioration [mondofacto.com]

  Back to Glossary Cerebral lipidosis is any of a group of inherited diseases characterized by progressive spastic paralysis, blindness, convulsions and learning disabilities. [researchautism.net]

  […] re·bral sphin·go·lip·i·do·sis any one of a group of inherited diseases characterized by failure to thrive, hypertonicity, progressive spastic paralysis, loss of vision and occurrence of blindness, usually with macular degeneration and optic atrophy, convulsions [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

• Spastic Paralysis

  Any one of a group of inherited diseases characterised by failure to thrive, hypertonicity, progressive spastic paralysis, loss of vision and occurrence of blindness, usually with macular degeneration and optic atrophy, convulsions, and mental deterioration [mondofacto.com]

  Back to Glossary Cerebral lipidosis is any of a group of inherited diseases characterized by progressive spastic paralysis, blindness, convulsions and learning disabilities. [researchautism.net]

  […] ce·re·bral sphin·go·lip·i·do·sis any one of a group of inherited diseases characterized by failure to thrive, hypertonicity, progressive spastic paralysis, loss of vision and occurrence of blindness, usually with macular degeneration and optic atrophy [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

• Mental Deterioration

  Any one of a group of inherited diseases characterised by failure to thrive, hypertonicity, progressive spastic paralysis, loss of vision and occurrence of blindness, usually with macular degeneration and optic atrophy, convulsions, and mental deterioration [mondofacto.com]

  deterioration; associated with abnormal storage of sphingomyelin and related lipids in the brain. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

• Ataxia

  Neurological examination revealed uncontrolled movements of mouth and tongue, hypotonia, ataxia of upper and lower extremities, and alternate move- ments were carried out in an inco-ordinate fashion. No visual disturbances were present. [docslide.com.br]

  Página 80 - An unusual variant of acute idiopathic polyneuritis (syndrome of ophthalmoplegia ataxia and areflexia). N. Engl. J. Med. 255, 57-65. [books.google.es]

  Onset in childhood with dementia; evolving in adolescence with progressive ataxia, spasticity, and cataracts; and finally in adulthood with xanthomas of the tendons, lungs, and brain in the presence of normal or nearly normal blood cholesterol and high [whonamedit.com]

The diagnosis of cerebral lipidoses must be suspected when a neonatal or infantile onset of progressive neurological and psychomotor decline is observed. But in order to confirm clinical suspicion, a detailed patient history and a comprehensive physical examination are mandatory steps. Given the autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance, a positive family history may provide useful information. As soon as a presumptive diagnosis is made, directed genetic and biochemical studies should be employed. Several laboratory techniques have been described, but a rapid liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay provides a quantitative method used to evaluate lysosphingolipids in blood. This is a superior procedure that provides enough information to confirm lipid accumulation [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]. Molecular genetic testing (DNA sequencing) that allows identification of specific gene mutations can be performed to verify the diagnosis [5] [6] [7] [9].

1. Schulze H, Sandhoff K. Lysosomal Lipid Storage Diseases. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2011;3(6):a004804.
2. Rieger D, Auerbach S, Robinson P, Gropman A. Neuroimaging of lipid storage disorders. Dev Disabil Res Rev. 2013;17(3):269-282.
3. Ozkara HA, Topçu M. Sphingolipidoses in Turkey. Brain Dev. 2004 Sep;26(6):363-366.
4. Platt FM, Boland B, van der Spoel AC. Lysosomal storage disorders: The cellular impact of lysosomal dysfunction. J Cell Biol. 2012;199(5):723-734.
5. Pavuluri P, Vadakedath S, Gundu R, Uppulety S, Kandi V. Krabbe Disease: Report of a Rare Lipid Storage and Neurodegenerative Disorder. Muacevic A, Adler JR, eds. Cureus. 2017;9(1):e949.
6. Vanier MT. Niemann-Pick disease type C. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2010;5:16.
7. Kaback MM, Desnick RJ. Hexosaminidase A Deficiency. 1999 Mar 11 [Updated 2011 Aug 11]. In: Pagon RA, Adam MP, Ardinger HH, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2017.
8. Polo G, Burlina AP, Kolamunnage TB, Zampieri M, Dionisi-Vici C, Strisciuglio P, Zaninotto M, Plebani M, Burlina AB Diagnosis of sphingolipidoses: a new simultaneous measurement of lysosphingolipids by LC-MS/MS. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2017;55(3):403-414.
9. Delnooz CC, Lefeber DJ, Langemeijer SM, et al. New cases of adult-onset Sandhoff disease with a cerebellar or lower motor neuron phenotype. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2010;81(9):968-972.