Synonyms

• Late-Onset Metachromatic Leukodystrophy
• ARSA
• Arylsulfatase A Deficiency
• Cerebroside Sulfatase Deficiency
• Diffuse Cerebral Sclerosis
• Greenfield Disease
• Metachromatic Form of Diffuse Cerebral
• Metachromatic Leukoencephalopathy
• MLD
• Sulfatide Lipidosis
• Sulfatidosis

Disorder Subdivisions

• Late Infantile Metachromatic Leukodystrophy
• Juvenile Metachromatic Leukodystrophy
• Adult Metachromatic Leukodystrophy

General Discussion

Metachromatic leukodystrophy, the most common form of leukodystrophy, is a rare inherited neurometabolic disorder affecting the white matter of the brain (leukoencephalopathy). It is characterized by the accumulation of a fatty substance known as sulfatide (a sphingolipid) in the brain and other areas of the body (i.e., liver, gall bladder, kidneys, and/or spleen). The fatty protective covering on the nerve fibers (myelin) is lost from areas of the central nervous system (CNS) due to the buildup of sulfatide. Symptoms of metachromatic leukodystrophy may include convulsions, seizures, personality changes, spasticity, progressive dementia, motor disturbances progressing to paralysis, and/or visual impairment leading to blindness.

Metachromatic leukodystrophy is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. There are three forms of the disease that have similar symptoms. However, they are distinguished by the age of onset: infantile, juvenile, and adult forms of metachromatic leukodystrophy.
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Resources

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

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

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: 9203365333
Fax: 9203390995
Tel: 8773365333
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

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:  5/14/2008
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