R Steinfeld · 2010 · Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft · Springer · added 2026-04-24
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) are a heterogeneous group of lysosomal diseases with rapidly progressive neurodegeneration and characteristic lipopigmentary lysosomal inclusions. The clinical Show more
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) are a heterogeneous group of lysosomal diseases with rapidly progressive neurodegeneration and characteristic lipopigmentary lysosomal inclusions. The clinical picture is characterized by motor disturbances, developmental delay, behavioral abnormalities, epilepsy, loss of vision and dementia. Cranial MRI reveals global brain atrophy and in particular early atrophy of the cerebellum. If an NCL disease is suspected initial diagnostic assessment for the CLN1, CLN2, CLN3 and CLN10 subtypes is recommended. The investigations can be done with a dried blood spotted on filter paper. If the results are negative but an NCL disease is still suspected the further approach should be coordinated with an expert in the field. Possible other diagnostic examinations include electron microscopy of the storage material in lymphocytes and skin biopsy specimens or molecular genetic analysis of the suspected NCL gene. At present only symptomatic therapy is available for NCL diseases. Show less
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a group of inherited lysosomal storage diseases and the prototype of childhood onset neurodegenerative disorders. To date, 10 NCL entities (CLN1-CLN10) ar Show more
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a group of inherited lysosomal storage diseases and the prototype of childhood onset neurodegenerative disorders. To date, 10 NCL entities (CLN1-CLN10) are known and characterized by accumulation of autofluorescent storage material, age of onset and clinical symptoms. CLN8 was first identified as the causative gene for a late-onset form with progressive epilepsy and mental retardation in Finnish patients. In addition, CLN8 phenotypes were described in Turkish, Israeli and Italian patients with a more rapid progression of visual loss, epilepsy, ataxia and mental decline. Here, we report the first mutations in German (c.611G>T) and Pakistani (c.709G>A) patients. Our findings confirm previous assumptions that the CLN8 variant can occur in many ethnic groups. So far, large CLN gene deletions are only known for the CLN3 gene. Here, we also describe a novel, large CLN8 gene deletion c.544-2566₅₉₀del2613 in a Turkish family with a slightly more severe phenotype. Our data indicate that patients with clinical signs of late infantile NCL and characteristic ultrastructural inclusions should also be screened for CLN8 mutations independent of their ethnic origin. Show less