arylsulfatase A deficiency
met·a·chro·mat·ic leu·ko·dys·tro·phy
[MIM*250100, MIM*249900]metachromatic leukodystrophy
An autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease (OMIM:250100) caused by arylsulfatase A deficiency, characterised by an accumulation of sulphated sphingolipid (cerebroside-3-sulfate) in neural and non-neural tissues, and a diffuse loss of myelin in the CNS.Clinical findings
Onset by age two, death by age five, with upper and lower motor neuron disease, decreased nerve conduction, spasms, ataxia, oculomotor paralysis, bulbar palsy, blindness, deafness, and dementia.
Molecular pathology
Defects in ARSA on chromosome 22q13.31-qter, which encodes arylsulfatase A, causes metachromatic leukodystrophy.
Treatment
All therapies are experimental; none are effective.
Prognosis
Universally fatal.