What causes neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis?

NCL involves the buildup of an abnormal material called lipofuscin in the brain. NCL is thought to be caused by problems with the brain’s ability to remove and recycle proteins. Lipofuscinoses are inherited as autosomal recessive traits.

What is ceroid lipofuscinosis?

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) refers to a group of conditions that affect the nervous system. Signs and symptoms vary widely between the forms but generally include a combination of dementia , vision loss, and epilepsy .

How common is neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis?

Adult neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses are extremely rare disorders. The prevalence is estimated to be about 1.5 people per 9,000,000 in the general population. Prevalence is the total numbers of individuals with a disease at a given time.

Is neuronal ceroid Lipofuscinoses a rare disease?

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis 3 (CLN3-NCL) is a rare condition that affects the nervous system. Signs and symptoms generally develop between age 4 and 8 years, although later onset cases have been reported.

What are the symptoms of Batten disease?

Vision loss (this symptom does not affect adults with Batten disease).
Epilepsy (seizures).
Cognitive problems, trouble learning or difficulty keeping up in school.
Problems with speaking.
Clumsiness and issues with coordination, balance and movement.

Where is the NCL in the body?

Skin or tissue sampling: The doctor can examine a small piece of tissue under a microscope to spot typical NCL deposits. These deposits are found in many different tissues, including skin, muscle, conjunctiva, rectal and others.

What is ceroid pigment?

The term “ceroid” or “wax-like substance” was coined by Lillie et al. (1941) for the yellowish pigment that appears in liver cells of protein-starved rats. The name is at present applied to a variety of autofluorescent pigmented lipids.

What is the life expectancy of Batten disease?

Children with Batten disease have a greatly shortened life expectancy. Children with infantile Batten disease often die in early childhood. Children with later onset forms of the disease may live into their teens to thirties, while those who develop the disease in adulthood may have a normal life expectancy.

Is Batten disease always fatal?

All types of Batten disease are fatal except adult Batten disease. People who develop symptoms of Batten disease as adults have a normal life expectancy. The name for each type of Batten disease starts with “CLN.” This stands for ceroid lipofuscinosis, neuronal — the name of the affected gene.

What is late infantile Batten disease?

Late infantile Batten disease is a form of Batten disease, the name given to a group of inherited conditions also known as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses. It occurs in children, typically ages 2 to 4, and is characterized by seizures, loss of motor skills and cognitive ability, and a reduced life expectancy.

What is the life expectancy of a child with Batten disease?

What is a Ceroid?

Medical Definition of ceroid : a yellow to brown pigment that is similar in composition to lipofuscin and accumulates in cells chiefly in diseased states and under experimental conditions.