CNS manifestations of Fabry's disease

2006

Summary Background Fabry's disease is a rare hereditary lysosomal storage disease with multiorgan involvement. Deficiency of α-galactosidase A activity leads to accumulation of neutral glycosphingolipids, especially in vascular endothelial and smooth-muscle cells. Along with progressive renal and cardiac dysfunction, stroke is a major and often life-threatening burden of the disease. Cerebral vasculopathy, confirmed by neuropathological, neuroradiological, and functional studies, occurs commonly and leads to ischaemic cerebrovascular events at an early age. Recent developments Fabry's disease is an X-linked disease and women have been regarded as only mildly affected carriers. However, rese…