Synonyms

• Sphingolipidosis 1
• Glucocerebrosidase deficiency
• Glucosylceramidase deficiency
• Cerebroside Lipidosis Syndrome
• Gaucher splenomegaly
• Glucocerebrosidosis
• Glucosyl cerebroside lipidosis
• Kerasin lipoidosis
• Kerasin thesaurismosis
• Lipid histiocytosis (kerasin type)

Disorder Subdivisions

• Type I Gaucher Disease
• Type II Gaucher Disease
• Type III Gaucher Disease
• Norrbottnian Gaucher Disease

General Discussion

Gaucher disease is a rare, inherited metabolic disorder in which deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase results in the accumulation of harmful quantities of certain fats (lipids), specifically the glycolipid glucocerebroside, throughout the body especially within the bone marrow, spleen and liver. The symptoms and physical findings associated with Gaucher disease vary greatly from case to case. Some individuals will develop few or no symptoms (asymptomatic); others may have serious complications. Common symptoms associated with Gaucher disease include an abnormally enlarged liver and/or spleen (hepatosplenomegaly), low levels of circulating red blood cells (anemia), low levels of platelets(thrombocytopenia), and skeletal abnormalities. Platelets are blood cells that promote clotting and patients with thrombocytopenia may develop bleeding problems. Three separate forms of Gaucher disease have been identified and are distinguished by the absence of, or the presence and extent of, neurological complications. All three forms of Gaucher disease are inherited as autosomal recessive traits.

Gaucher disease is categorized as a lysosomal storage disorder. Lysosomes are the major digestive units in cells. Enzymes within lysosomes break down or "digest" nutrients, including certain complex carbohydrates and fats. In Gaucher disease certain fats, known as glycolipids, abnormally accumulate in the body because of the lack of the enzyme, glucocerebrosidase. This accumulation or "storage" of lipids leads to the various symptoms or physical findings associated with a lysosomal storage disease. Gaucher disease is the most common type of lysosomal storage disorder.
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Resources

Vaincre Les Maladies Lysosomales
2 ter avenue de Fance
Massy, 91300
France
Tel: 01 69 75 40 30
Fax: 01 60 11 15 83
Email: accueil@vml-asso.org
Internet: http://www.vml-asso.org

National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases Association, Inc.
2001 Beacon Street
Suite 204
Brighton, MA 02135
USA
Tel: 6172774463
Fax: 6172770134
Tel: 8009068723
Email: info@ntsad.org
Internet: http://www.NTSAD.org

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com

National Gaucher Foundation
2227 Idlewood Road
Suite 12
Tucker, GA 30084
USA
Tel: 7709342910
Tel: 8005043189
Email: ngf@gaucherdisease.org
Internet: http://www.gaucherdisease.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/

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/

Gauchers Association (UK)
3 Bull Pitch
Dursley
Gloucestershire, Intl GL11 4NG
United Kingdom
Tel: 44 1453 549231
Email: ga@gaucher.org.uk
Internet: http://www.gaucher.org.uk

Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Review Group
Institute of Child Health
Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust
Alder Hey Hospital, Eaton Road
Liverpool, L12 2 AP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1512525696
Fax: +44 (0) 1512525456
Email: cfgd@liv.ac.uk
Internet: http://www.liv.ac.uk/cfgd/

MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay, WI 54301-1243
USA
Tel: 9203365333
Fax: 9203390995
Tel: 8773365333
Email: mums@netnet.net
Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/

Sjældne Diagnoser / Rare Disorders Denmark
Frederiksholms Kanal 2, 3rd Floor
Copenhagen K, 1220
Denmark
Tel: 45 33 14 00 10
Fax: 45 33 14 55 09
Email: mail@sjaeldnediagnoser
Internet: http://www.raredisorders.dk

Instituto de Errores Innatos del Metabolismo
Carrera 7 No 43-82
Bogota, Columbia
S.A. Edificio 53 Lab. 305A,
Tel: (50 )1 3-208320
Fax: (51 )1 3-384548
Email: abarrera@javeriana.edu.co
Internet: http://www.javeriana.edu.co

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:  11/12/2008
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