Niemann-Pick disease is a condition that affects many body systems. It has a wide range of symptoms that vary in severity. Niemann-Pick disease is divided into four main types: type A, type B, type C1, and type C2. These types are classified on the basis of genetic cause and the signs and symptoms of the condition.
Niemann-Pick disease types A and B is caused by mutations in the SMPD1 gene. This gene provides instructions for producing an enzyme called acid sphingomyelinase. This enzyme is found in lysosomes, which are compartments within cells that break down and recycle different types of molecules. Acid sphingomyelinase is responsible for the conversion of a fat (lipid) called sphingomyelin into another type of lipid called ceramide. Mutations in SMPD1 lead to a shortage of acid sphingomyelinase, which results in reduced break down of sphingomyelin, causing this fat to accumulate in cells. This fat buildup causes cells to malfunction and eventually die. Over time, cell loss impairs function of tissues and organs including the brain, lungs, spleen, and liver in people with Niemann-Pick disease types A and B.
Niemann-Pick disease types A and B is estimated to affect 1 in 250,000 individuals. Niemann-Pick disease type A occurs more frequently among individuals of Ashkenazi (eastern and central European) Jewish descent than in the general population. The incidence within the Ashkenazi population is approximately 1 in 40,000 individuals.
This condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition.
Frances Platt practices in Oxford, United Kingdom. Platt is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Niemann-Pick Disease. She is also highly rated in 28 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Niemann-Pick Disease, Non-Langerhans-Cell Histiocytosis, Reticulohistiocytoma, and Histiocytosis.
Marc Patterson is a Neurologist and a Pediatrics expert in Rochester, Minnesota. Patterson has been practicing medicine for over 41 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Niemann-Pick Disease. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Niemann-Pick Disease, Supranuclear Ophthalmoplegia, Dysarthria, and Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency (ASMD). He is licensed to treat patients in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Patterson is currently accepting new patients.
Eugen Mengel practices in Hochheim, Germany. Mengel is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Niemann-Pick Disease. He is also highly rated in 23 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Niemann-Pick Disease, Non-Langerhans-Cell Histiocytosis, Reticulohistiocytoma, and Supranuclear Ophthalmoplegia.
Summary: A prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled therapeutic study in patients with confirmed diagnosis of NiemannPick disease type C (NPC). The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of arimoclomol (compared to placebo) when it is administered as an add-on therapy to the patient's current prescribed best standard of care; patient's standard of care may, or may not, ...
Summary: GM2 gangliosidosis is an autosomal recessive subtype of Lysosomal Storage Diseases in which, Hexosaminidase A-B deficiency is caused by HEXA-B gene. HEXA deficiency is seen in Tay sachs and HEXB deficiency causes Sandhoff disease. Infantile forms of Sandhoff and Tay sachs are often lethal and management of the patients is supportive including nutrition, hydration, seizure control and management of...
Published Date: January 01, 2015Published By: National Institutes of Health