Metachromatic Leukodystrophies Quiz

Check your symptoms and
find possible causes with AI for free

Reviewed By:

Shohei Harase

Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)

Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.

From our team of 50+ doctors

Please choose the symptom you are most concerned about.

It will help us optimise further questions for you.

By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

Find another symptom

How Ubie can help you

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, Ubie's AI-powered system will generate a free report on possible causes.

Your symptoms

Input your symptoms

Our AI

Our AI checks your symptoms

Your report

You get your personalized report

Personalized Report

✔︎  When to see a doctor

✔︎  What causes your symptoms

✔︎  Treatment information etc.

Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.

Learn more about Metachromatic leukodystrophies

Content updated on Sep 20, 2022

What is metachromatic leukodystrophies?

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) or sulfatide lipidosis is a rare genetic disease that causes progressive destruction of the nervous system and causes fatty substances (lipids) to build up in cells, particularly in the brain, spinal cord and nerves. This buildup due to deficiency of an enzyme called sulfatides which helps break down lipids.

Symptoms of metachromatic leukodystrophies

  • Unable to move both arms

  • Difficulty in walking

  • Unable to move both legs

  • Stiff, rigid muscles causing difficulty bending joints

  • Weakness in arms or legs

  • Child is developing slower than his or her peers

Questions your doctor may ask to check for metachromatic leukodystrophies

Your doctor may ask these questions to diagnose metachromatic leukodystrophies

  • Are you unable to move both arms?

  • Do you have any difficulty walking?

  • Are you unable to move both legs?

  • Do you have stiff muscle and/or joints that are not flexible even with assistance?

  • Do you feel any weakness in your arms or legs?

Treatment for metachromatic leukodystrophies

No curative treatment is currently available for MLD. Treatment involves preventing nerve damage and slowing progression of the disease. Stem cell or bone marrow transplant may help slow down disease progression in some patients.

View the symptoms of Metachromatic leukodystrophies

References

  • Farooqui AA, Horrocks LA. Biochemical aspects of globoid and metachromatic leukodystrophies. Neurochem Pathol. 1984 Fall;2(3):189-218. doi: 10.1007/BF02834352. PMID: 6152665.

    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02834352

Reviewed By:

Shohei Harase

Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)

Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.

From our team of 50+ doctors

Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.

Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide

Shohei Harase

Shohei Harase, MD

Neurology

Kameda Medical Center, Japan

Yu Shirai

Yu Shirai, MD

Psychiatry

Yotsuya Yui Clinic, Japan

Yoshinori Abe

Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal medicine

Co-founder of Ubie, Inc.

Rohini R

Rohini R, MD

Ear, nose, throat (ENT)

Bayshore Health Centre, India

Seiji Kanazawa

Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD

Obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN)

National Center for Child Health and Development, Japan

View our medical experts