Leukodystrophy, Krabbe's

Synonyms

• Galactocerebrosidase (GALC) Deficiency
• Galactocerebroside Beta-Galactosidase Deficiency
• Galactosylceramide Lipidosis
• Galactosylceramidase Deficiency
• Krabbe's Disease
• Leukodystrophy, Globoid Cell
• Sphingolipidosis, Krabbe's Type
• Globoid Cell Leukoencephalopathy

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Krabbe's Leukodystrophy is a rare inherited lipid storage disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme galactocerebrosidase (GALC), which is necessary for the breakdown (metabolism) of the sphingolipids galactosylceremide and psychosine. Failure to break down these sphingolipids results in degeneration of the myelin sheath surrounding nerves in the brain (demyelination). Characteristic globoid cells appear in affected areas of the brain. This metabolic disorder is characterized by progressive neurological dysfunction such as mental retardation, paralysis, blindness, deafness and paralysis of certain facial muscles (pseudobulbar palsy). Krabbe's Leukodystrophy is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.

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Resources

CLIMB (Children Living with Inherited Metabolic Diseases)

Climb Building

176 Nantwich Road

Crewe, Intl CW2 6BG

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 870 7700 325

Fax: +44 870 7700 327

Email: info@climb.org.uk

Internet: http://www.CLIMB.org.uk



Kennedy Krieger Institute

707 North Broadway

Baltimore, MD 21205

Tel: (443)923-9200

Fax: (443)923-9405

Tel: (800)873-3377

TDD: (443)923-9400

Email: webmaster@kennedykrieger.org

Internet: http://www.kennedykrieger.org



The Arc (a national organization on mental retardation)

1010 Wayne Ave

Suite 650

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Tel: (301)565-3842

Fax: (301)565-3843

Tel: (800)433-5255

TDD: (817)277-0553

Email: info@thearc.org

Internet: http://www.thearc.org/



United Leukodystrophy Foundation

2304 Highland Drive

Sycamore, IL 60178

Tel: (815)895-3211

Fax: (815)895-2432

Tel: (800)728-5483

Email: office@ulf.org

Internet: http://www.ulf.org/



ELA - European Association against Leukodystrophies

2, rue Mi-les-Vignes

Laxou, 54520

France

Tel: 33 383 30 93 34

Fax: 33 383 30 00 68

Email: ela@ela-asso.com

Internet: http://www.ela-asso.com



National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

31 Center Drive

8A07

Bethesda, MD 20892-2540

Tel: (301)496-5751

Fax: (301)402-2186

Tel: (800)352-9424

Email: braininfo@ninds.nih.gov

Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/



Hunter's Hope Foundation, Inc.

PO Box 643

3859 N. Buffalo Street

Orchard Park, NY 14127

Tel: (716)667-1200

Fax: (716)667-1212

Tel: (877)984-4673

Email: info@huntershope.org

Internet: http://www.huntershope.org



MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network

150 Custer Court

Green Bay, WI 54301-1243

USA

Tel: (920)336-5333

Fax: (920)339-0995

Tel: (877)336-5333

Email: mums@netnet.net

Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/



Australian Leukodystrophy Support Group, Inc.

10 Mitchell Street

Mentone, Victoria, 3194

Australia

Tel: 0011(03)9584 7070

Fax: 0011(03)9583 4379

Email: leuko@vicnet.net.au

Internet: http://www.alds.org.au



Hide & Seek Foundation for Lysosomal Disease Research

4123 Lankershim Blvd.

Suite 302

North Hollywood, CA 91602-2828

Tel: (818)762-8621

Fax: (818)762-2502

Email: info@hideandseek.org

Internet: http://www.hideandseek.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  7/23/2007

Copyright  1987, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1997, 2002, 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.