Krabbe disease (globoid cell leukodystrophy) is a severe autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency of galactosylceramidase (GALC), the enzyme responsible for degrading galactosylceramide and psychosine (galactosylsphingosine). Accumulation of psychosine is toxic to oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells, leading to progressive demyelination of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The infantile form presents in the first months of life with irritability, spasticity, and rapid neurological deterioration, while later-onset forms have a more variable and protracted course.
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name: Krabbe Disease
creation_date: "2026-03-14T00:00:00Z"
updated_date: "2026-05-18T23:45:00Z"
description: >
Krabbe disease (globoid cell leukodystrophy) is a severe autosomal recessive
lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency of galactosylceramidase (GALC),
the enzyme responsible for degrading galactosylceramide and psychosine
(galactosylsphingosine). Accumulation of psychosine is toxic to
oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells, leading to progressive demyelination
of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The infantile form presents
in the first months of life with irritability, spasticity, and rapid
neurological deterioration, while later-onset forms have a more variable
and protracted course.
category: Genetic
disease_term:
preferred_term: Krabbe disease
term:
id: MONDO:0009499
label: Krabbe disease
parents:
- Leukodystrophy
- Lysosomal Storage Disease
- Sphingolipidosis
references:
- reference: PMID:20301416
title: Krabbe Disease.
tags:
- GeneReviews
findings: []
prevalence:
- population: Global
percentage: Rare
notes: >
Estimated incidence of 1 in 100,000 to 250,000 live births.
Infantile onset accounts for approximately 85-90% of cases.
progression:
- phase: Infantile Onset
age_range: 0-6 months
notes: >
Most common form. Rapid neurological deterioration with irritability,
spasticity, feeding difficulties, and developmental regression.
Death typically occurs before age 2 years.
- phase: Late-Infantile/Juvenile Onset
age_range: 6 months - 16 years
notes: >
Progressive gait disturbance, visual impairment, and cognitive decline
with slower progression than the infantile form.
- phase: Adult Onset
age_range: ">16 years"
notes: >
Rarest form with slowly progressive spastic paraparesis, peripheral
neuropathy, and variable cognitive involvement.
pathophysiology:
- name: GALC Deficiency
description: >
Loss-of-function mutations in GALC cause deficiency of the lysosomal
enzyme galactosylceramidase.
genes:
- preferred_term: GALC
term:
id: hgnc:4115
label: GALC
modifier: DECREASED
molecular_functions:
- preferred_term: galactosylceramidase activity
term:
id: GO:0004336
label: galactosylceramidase activity
modifier: DECREASED
cell_types:
- preferred_term: oligodendrocyte
term:
id: CL:0000128
label: oligodendrocyte
- preferred_term: Schwann cell
term:
id: CL:0002573
label: Schwann cell
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: galactosylceramide metabolic process
term:
id: GO:0006687
label: glycosphingolipid metabolic process
- preferred_term: galactosylceramide catabolic process
term:
id: GO:0006683
label: galactosylceramide catabolic process
- preferred_term: sphingolipid catabolic process
term:
id: GO:0030149
label: sphingolipid catabolic process
downstream:
- target: Psychosine Accumulation
description: GALC deficiency leads directly to accumulation of the toxic metabolite psychosine.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:31527255
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >
Infantile globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD, Krabbe disease) is a fatal
demyelinating disorder caused by a deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme
galactosylceramidase (GALC). GALC deficiency leads to the accumulation
of the cytotoxic glycolipid, galactosylsphingosine (psychosine).
explanation: >
This directly links GALC deficiency to psychosine accumulation.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:31527255
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >
Infantile globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD, Krabbe disease) is a fatal
demyelinating disorder caused by a deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme
galactosylceramidase (GALC). GALC deficiency leads to the accumulation
of the cytotoxic glycolipid, galactosylsphingosine (psychosine).
explanation: >
Confirms GALC deficiency as the initiating enzymatic defect in
Krabbe disease.
- name: Psychosine Accumulation
description: >
Psychosine is the key toxic lipid that accumulates in Krabbe disease.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: oligodendrocyte
term:
id: CL:0000128
label: oligodendrocyte
- preferred_term: Schwann cell
term:
id: CL:0002573
label: Schwann cell
locations:
- preferred_term: brain white matter
term:
id: UBERON:0003544
label: brain white matter
- preferred_term: cerebral hemisphere white matter
term:
id: UBERON:0002437
label: cerebral hemisphere white matter
downstream:
- target: Oligodendrocyte and Schwann Cell Toxicity
description: Psychosine accumulation is toxic to myelin-producing cells in both CNS and PNS.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:7354254
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
The concentration of psychosine will steadily increase and reach toxic
levels and kill the oligodendroglial cells. This results in an arrest of
the galactosylceramide biosynthesis.
explanation: >
This seminal paper directly links psychosine accumulation to
oligodendroglial toxicity.
- target: Globoid Cell Accumulation
description: >
Psychosine can drive MMP-3-mediated transformation of microglia into
multinucleated globoid cells, connecting the storage metabolite to a
hallmark macrophage/microglial lesion.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:23404611
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >
Here we report that exposure of primary glial cultures to psychosine
induces the expression and the production of matrix metalloproteinase
(MMP)-3 that mediated a morphological transformation of microglia
into a multinucleated globoid cell type. Additionally,
psychosine-induced globoid cell formation from microglia was
prevented by either genetic ablation or chemical inhibition of MMP-3.
explanation: >
Primary glial culture experiments identify MMP-3 as an intermediate
between psychosine exposure and microglial transformation into
globoid-cell-like multinucleated cells.
- target: Proteostasis Failure
description: Psychosine accumulation impairs autophagy and ubiquitin-proteasome handling.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37048066
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >
psychosine causes dysfunction of autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome
system underlying the pathogenesis of globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD),
a devastating lysosomal storage disease complicated by global demyelination
explanation: >
This directly links psychosine accumulation to proteostasis failure.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:31527255
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >
Infantile globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD, Krabbe disease) is a fatal
demyelinating disorder caused by a deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme
galactosylceramidase (GALC). GALC deficiency leads to the accumulation
of the cytotoxic glycolipid, galactosylsphingosine (psychosine).
explanation: >
Confirms psychosine accumulation as the key toxic storage abnormality
in Krabbe disease.
- reference: PMID:31527255
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >
psychosine is generated catabolically through the deacylation of
galactosylceramide by acid ceramidase (ACDase)
explanation: >
Demonstrates the catabolic pathway of psychosine generation via
acid ceramidase, clarifying the mechanism of psychosine synthesis.
- name: Oligodendrocyte and Schwann Cell Toxicity
description: >
Psychosine toxicity injures myelin-producing oligodendrocytes and Schwann
cells.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: oligodendrocyte
term:
id: CL:0000128
label: oligodendrocyte
- preferred_term: Schwann cell
term:
id: CL:0002573
label: Schwann cell
downstream:
- target: Demyelination
description: Toxic injury to myelin-producing cells drives downstream demyelination.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:36113749
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Functional deficiency of GALC is toxic to myelin-producing cells, which
leads to progressive demyelination in both the central and peripheral
nervous systems.
explanation: >
This neuropathology study directly links toxicity to myelin-producing
cells with downstream demyelination.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:7354254
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
The concentration of psychosine will steadily increase and reach toxic
levels and kill the oligodendroglial cells. This results in an arrest of
the galactosylceramide biosynthesis.
explanation: >
This seminal paper directly supports oligodendroglial toxicity from
psychosine accumulation.
- name: Demyelination
description: >
Krabbe disease causes progressive loss of myelin in the central and
peripheral nervous systems.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: oligodendrocyte
term:
id: CL:0000128
label: oligodendrocyte
- preferred_term: microglial cell
term:
id: CL:0000129
label: microglial cell
- preferred_term: macrophage
term:
id: CL:0000235
label: macrophage
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: myelination
term:
id: GO:0042552
label: myelination
modifier: DECREASED
- preferred_term: central nervous system myelination
term:
id: GO:0022010
label: central nervous system myelination
modifier: DECREASED
locations:
- preferred_term: brain white matter
term:
id: UBERON:0003544
label: brain white matter
- preferred_term: white matter of spinal cord
term:
id: UBERON:0002318
label: white matter of spinal cord
downstream:
- target: Leukodystrophy
description: CNS demyelination produces the characteristic leukodystrophy phenotype.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:36113749
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Functional deficiency of GALC is toxic to myelin-producing cells, which
leads to progressive demyelination in both the central and peripheral
nervous systems.
explanation: >
This directly supports demyelination as the mechanism underlying
Krabbe disease leukodystrophy.
- target: Peripheral Neuropathy
description: Peripheral demyelination causes the peripheral neuropathy phenotype.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:36113749
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Functional deficiency of GALC is toxic to myelin-producing cells, which
leads to progressive demyelination in both the central and peripheral
nervous systems.
explanation: >
This directly supports peripheral demyelination as the basis of
peripheral neuropathy in Krabbe disease.
- target: Spasticity
description: >
Central motor-tract and white-matter demyelination contributes to
early spasticity in infantile and later-onset Krabbe disease.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_UNKNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32912261
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Spasticity is a very early feature, appearing at or briefly after onset.
explanation: >
Natural-history data place spasticity early in the Krabbe disease
course, downstream of the demyelinating leukodystrophy process.
- target: Developmental Regression
description: >
Progressive CNS demyelination and neurodegeneration cause loss of
acquired developmental milestones.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_UNKNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32912261
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Irritability, abnormalities in movement pattern as well as general
developmental regression were the first symptoms in the infantile group
explanation: >
The infantile natural-history cohort identifies developmental
regression as an early manifestation of the demyelinating disease
trajectory.
- target: Irritability in Infancy
description: >
Infantile Krabbe disease often first presents with irritability during
the rapidly progressive neurodegenerative phase.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_UNKNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32912261
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Irritability, abnormalities in movement pattern as well as general
developmental regression were the first symptoms in the infantile group
explanation: >
The cohort describes irritability as an early infantile symptom
during the same rapidly progressive leukodystrophy course.
- target: Seizures
description: >
Progressive CNS white-matter disease and neurodegeneration are
associated with seizures during infantile Krabbe disease.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_UNKNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:10992329
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Most of the children with infantile disease presented with
neurodegeneration, seizures or fever.
explanation: >
The clinical series links seizures to the infantile
neurodegenerative Krabbe presentation.
- target: Optic Atrophy
description: >
Visual pathway involvement during CNS demyelination can progress to
optic atrophy in a subset of patients.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_UNKNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:10992329
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Optic atrophy was uncommon in our series (present only in a single case).
explanation: >
Although uncommon in this cohort, optic atrophy is documented as a
Krabbe disease manifestation and is modeled downstream of CNS
demyelinating visual-pathway involvement.
- target: Feeding Difficulties
description: >
Progressive neurologic deterioration causes swallowing and feeding
impairment, often requiring tube feeding in infantile disease.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_UNKNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32912261
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Severe swallowing problems necessitating tube feeding or PEG
occurred on average 4 months after onset.
explanation: >
The natural-history cohort places severe swallowing and tube-feeding
needs downstream in the infantile Krabbe disease course.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:36113749
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Functional deficiency of GALC is toxic to myelin-producing cells, which
leads to progressive demyelination in both the central and peripheral
nervous systems.
explanation: >
Neuropathological study of human Krabbe disease brains confirming
progressive demyelination in CNS and PNS due to GALC deficiency.
- name: Globoid Cell Accumulation
description: >
Multinucleated globoid macrophages accumulate in Krabbe disease white
matter as a hallmark neuropathologic lesion.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: microglial cell
term:
id: CL:0000129
label: microglial cell
- preferred_term: macrophage
term:
id: CL:0000235
label: macrophage
evidence:
- reference: PMID:36113749
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
an early-infantile case (age of death at 10 months) had about 3-fold
increases in both globoid cells, a pathological hallmark for KD
explanation: >
Quantifies the presence of globoid cells as a hallmark neuropathologic
lesion in Krabbe disease.
- name: Microglial and Astrocyte Reactivity
description: >
Krabbe disease triggers marked activation of microglia and astrocytes in
affected white matter.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: microglial cell
term:
id: CL:0000129
label: microglial cell
- preferred_term: astrocyte
term:
id: CL:0000127
label: astrocyte
downstream:
- target: Inflammasome Activation
description: Activated glial cells participate in downstream inflammasome-related inflammatory signaling.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:36519759
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >
Caspase-11 is found in reactive microglia/macrophages as well as
astrocytes but caspase-1 and gasdermin D are restricted to reactive
microglia/macrophages
explanation: >
This directly links reactive glial populations to inflammasome
component expression in Krabbe disease tissue.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37048066
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >
The astrocytes and microglia reactivity were attenuated in that reactive
astrocytes, ameboid microglia, and globoid cells were reduced in the
brains of rapamycin-treated twitcher mice
explanation: >
Demonstrates robust astrocyte and microglial reactivity in twitcher
mouse brains, supporting a distinct glial-reactivity node.
- name: Inflammasome Activation
description: >
Non-canonical (caspase-11) and canonical (caspase-1) inflammasome
pathways and gasdermin D are progressively induced in nervous tissue
in Krabbe disease. Caspase-11 localizes to reactive microglia/macrophages
and astrocytes, while caspase-1 and gasdermin D are restricted to
reactive microglia/macrophages. This inflammasome signature accompanies
demyelination and gliosis and may represent a therapeutic target.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: microglial cell
term:
id: CL:0000129
label: microglial cell
- preferred_term: astrocyte
term:
id: CL:0000127
label: astrocyte
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: inflammatory response
term:
id: GO:0006954
label: inflammatory response
locations:
- preferred_term: spinal cord
term:
id: UBERON:0002240
label: spinal cord
- preferred_term: brain white matter
term:
id: UBERON:0003544
label: brain white matter
evidence:
- reference: PMID:36519759
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >
the expression of pro-inflammatory non-canonical caspase-11, canonical
caspase-1, gasdermin D and cognate genes is induced in nervous tissue
explanation: >
Establishes that inflammasome-associated genes including caspase-11,
caspase-1, and gasdermin D are progressively induced in twitcher mouse
nervous tissue, identifying a new pathogenic mechanism in Krabbe disease.
- reference: PMID:36519759
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >
Caspase-11 is found in reactive microglia/macrophages as well as
astrocytes but caspase-1 and gasdermin D are restricted to reactive
microglia/macrophages
explanation: >
Defines cell-type-specific expression patterns of inflammasome
components in Krabbe disease nervous tissue.
- name: Proteostasis Failure
description: >
Psychosine causes dysfunction of autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome
system, leading to accumulation of insoluble ubiquitinated protein
aggregates in the brain. This proteostasis failure contributes to
neurodegeneration and can be partially rescued by mTOR inhibition
with rapamycin.
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: autophagy
term:
id: GO:0006914
label: autophagy
locations:
- preferred_term: brain white matter
term:
id: UBERON:0003544
label: brain white matter
downstream:
- target: Microglial and Astrocyte Reactivity
description: >
Psychosine-driven proteostasis failure contributes to neuroinflammatory
glial reactivity; reducing aggregate burden attenuates reactive
astrocytes and ameboid microglia in the twitcher model.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_UNKNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37048066
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >
Administration of rapamycin to twitcher mice inhibited mTOR signaling
in the brains, and significantly reduced the accumulation of insoluble
ubiquitinated protein and the formation of ubiquitin aggregates. The
astrocytes and microglia reactivity were attenuated in that reactive
astrocytes, ameboid microglia, and globoid cells were reduced in the
brains of rapamycin-treated twitcher mice.
explanation: >
In the twitcher mouse model, lowering the proteostasis/aggregate
burden is accompanied by reduced astrocyte and microglial
reactivity, supporting an indirect connection from proteostasis
failure to neuroinflammatory glial activation.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37048066
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >
psychosine causes dysfunction of autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome
system underlying the pathogenesis of globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD),
a devastating lysosomal storage disease complicated by global demyelination
explanation: >
Establishes that psychosine-driven proteostasis failure through
autophagy and UPS dysfunction is a key pathogenic mechanism in
globoid cell leukodystrophy.
- reference: PMID:37048066
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >
significantly reduced the accumulation of insoluble ubiquitinated protein
and the formation of ubiquitin aggregates
explanation: >
Demonstrates that mTOR inhibition with rapamycin can reduce protein
aggregate burden in twitcher mouse brains, validating proteostasis
failure as a tractable therapeutic target.
phenotypes:
- category: Neurologic
name: Leukodystrophy
description: >
Progressive white matter degeneration visible on MRI as symmetric
signal abnormalities in cerebral white matter, with eventual atrophy.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Leukodystrophy
term:
id: HP:0002415
label: Leukodystrophy
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32912261
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
The different forms of the disease were characterized by different MRI
patterns (infantile: diffuse white matter involvement and cerebellar
structures specifically affected, later onset: parieto-occipital white
matter and splenium affected, adult: motor tracts specifically affected).
explanation: >
This natural history study directly documents characteristic
white-matter MRI abnormalities across Krabbe disease forms, supporting
leukodystrophy as an observed phenotype.
- category: Neurologic
name: Spasticity
description: >
Progressive increase in muscle tone due to upper motor neuron
involvement from white matter destruction.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Spasticity
term:
id: HP:0001257
label: Spasticity
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32912261
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Developmental and disease trajectories were described based on the
acquisition and loss of milestones as well as the time of first clearly
identifiable symptoms and needs such as spasticity, seizures and tube
feeding.
explanation: >
This natural history study directly identifies spasticity as a tracked
neurological manifestation in Krabbe disease, providing more specific
support than generic motor-delay language.
- category: Neurologic
name: Peripheral Neuropathy
description: >
Demyelinating peripheral neuropathy due to Schwann cell loss,
manifesting as hyporeflexia and reduced nerve conduction velocities.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Peripheral demyelinating neuropathy
term:
id: HP:0007108
label: Demyelinating peripheral neuropathy
evidence:
- reference: PMID:36113749
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Functional deficiency of GALC is toxic to myelin-producing cells, which
leads to progressive demyelination in both the central and peripheral
nervous systems.
explanation: >
Confirms peripheral nervous system demyelination as a feature of Krabbe
disease due to toxicity to Schwann cells, the myelin-producing cells
of the PNS.
- category: Neurologic
name: Irritability in Infancy
description: >
Extreme irritability is often the earliest clinical feature in
infantile Krabbe disease, frequently preceding other neurological signs.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Irritability
term:
id: HP:0000737
label: Irritability
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32912261
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Irritability, abnormalities in movement pattern as well as general
developmental regression were the first symptoms in the infantile group
explanation: >
This natural history study directly identifies irritability as one of
the first symptoms in infantile Krabbe disease.
- category: Neurologic
name: Seizures
description: >
Seizures occur in Krabbe disease, particularly in advanced stages.
Uncontrolled seizures are a frequent terminal event in infantile
Krabbe disease.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Seizure
term:
id: HP:0001250
label: Seizure
evidence:
- reference: PMID:10992329
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Most of the children with infantile disease presented with
neurodegeneration, seizures or fever
explanation: >
Clinical series of nine children with enzymatically confirmed Krabbe
disease documents seizures as a presenting feature in infantile KD.
- category: Neurologic
name: Developmental Regression
description: >
Loss of previously acquired developmental milestones is a hallmark
of infantile Krabbe disease, with progressive loss of motor and
cognitive skills following initial normal development.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Developmental regression
term:
id: HP:0002376
label: Developmental regression
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32912261
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Irritability, abnormalities in movement pattern as well as general
developmental regression were the first symptoms in the infantile group
explanation: >
Nationwide German natural history study of 38 Krabbe patients documents
developmental regression as a frequent first symptom in infantile KD.
- category: Neurologic
name: Optic Atrophy
description: >
Progressive optic nerve demyelination leads to optic atrophy and
visual impairment, particularly in infantile Krabbe disease.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Optic atrophy
term:
id: HP:0000648
label: Optic atrophy
evidence:
- reference: PMID:10992329
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Optic atrophy was uncommon in our series (present only in a single case).
explanation: >
This enzymatically confirmed pediatric Krabbe disease series documents
optic atrophy in one patient.
- category: Neurologic
name: Feeding Difficulties
description: >
Difficulty with feeding due to bulbar dysfunction and progressive
neurological deterioration, often requiring tube feeding in infantile
Krabbe disease.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Feeding difficulties
term:
id: HP:0011968
label: Feeding difficulties
evidence:
- reference: PMID:32912261
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Irritability, abnormalities in movement pattern as well as general
developmental regression were the first symptoms in the infantile group;
disease course was severe with rapid progression, e.g. loss of visual
fixation, need for tube feeding and then an early death.
explanation: >
This natural history study supports clinically significant feeding
dysfunction in infantile Krabbe disease through the frequent need for
tube feeding during rapid progression.
biochemical:
- name: Psychosine (Galactosylsphingosine)
biomarker_term:
preferred_term: psychosine
term:
id: CHEBI:16874
label: psychosine
presence: Elevated
context: >
Key toxic metabolite and biomarker. Blood psychosine levels used
for newborn screening second-tier testing. Infantile KD typically
shows levels >=10 nM; late-infantile KD shows 2-10 nM.
readouts:
- target: Psychosine Accumulation
relationship: READOUT_OF
direction: POSITIVE
endpoint_context: DIAGNOSTIC
interpretation: >
Elevated psychosine reports the proximal toxic sphingolipid storage
abnormality caused by GALC deficiency.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301416
reference_title: Krabbe Disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >
elevated psychosine levels can also help establish the diagnosis.
explanation: >
GeneReviews identifies elevated psychosine as a diagnostic marker
for Krabbe disease.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:31527255
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >
GALC deficiency leads to the accumulation of the cytotoxic glycolipid,
galactosylsphingosine (psychosine)
explanation: >
Confirms psychosine accumulation as the primary biochemical
abnormality in Krabbe disease due to GALC deficiency.
- reference: PMID:38390974
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
a two-tiered strategy based on psychosine (PSY) as the determinant if
an NBS result is positive or negative after a first-tier test revealed
decreased galactocerebrosidase activity
explanation: >
Psychosine is used as a second-tier newborn screening biomarker,
confirming its diagnostic utility as an elevated metabolite in
Krabbe disease.
- name: GALC Enzyme Activity
presence: Reduced
context: >
Galactosylceramidase enzyme activity is deficient in all forms of
Krabbe disease. Measured in leukocytes or dried blood spots as
the first-tier newborn screening test.
readouts:
- target: GALC Deficiency
relationship: READOUT_OF
direction: NEGATIVE
endpoint_context: DIAGNOSTIC
interpretation: >
Low leukocyte or dried-blood-spot GALC enzyme activity directly reports
the initiating galactosylceramidase deficiency.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301416
reference_title: Krabbe Disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >
established by detection of deficient GALC enzyme activity in leukocytes.
explanation: >
GeneReviews identifies deficient leukocyte GALC enzyme activity as
the diagnostic biochemical readout.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:36113749
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
homozygous null mutations in GALC lead to deficiency in total GALC
protein and activity
explanation: >
Confirms that null GALC mutations lead to complete deficiency in
GALC protein and enzyme activity in infantile Krabbe disease brains.
genetic:
- name: GALC
association: Pathogenic Mutations
presence: Positive
notes: >
Krabbe disease is caused by biallelic loss-of-function mutations in
GALC (14q31.3), encoding galactosylceramidase. Over 200 pathogenic
variants have been identified. The most common mutation in patients
of European descent is a ~30 kb deletion starting at intron 10.
inheritance:
- name: Autosomal Recessive
variants:
- name: 30-kb deletion (intron 10-17)
description: >
Large deletion encompassing exons 11-17, the most common
pathogenic variant in European populations.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:8634707
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
the deletion is approximately 30 kb starting near the middle of the
12 kb intron 10, and includes all of the coding region through exon 17
plus an additional 9 kb
explanation: >
Characterizes the large ~30 kb deletion in the GALC gene, one of the
most common mutations causing infantile Krabbe disease.
- reference: PMID:7581365
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
a large deletion, together with a polymorphic C to T transition at
position 502 of cDNA (counting from the A of the initiation codon), is
responsible for a large number of disease-causing alleles in patients
with Krabbe disease
explanation: >
Demonstrates that the large deletion plus 502C>T polymorphism is a
common mutant allele in infantile Krabbe disease, found in homozygous
or heterozygous state in the majority of patients tested.
- reference: PMID:36113749
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Krabbe Disease (KD) is an autosomal recessive disorder that results from
loss-of-function mutations in the GALC gene, which encodes lysosomal
enzyme galactosylceramidase (GALC).
explanation: >
Confirms autosomal recessive inheritance and GALC loss-of-function
as the genetic basis of Krabbe disease.
- reference: CGGV:assertion_d17202fb-89c4-4bf6-ad57-4b8c541dc808-2022-06-15T160000.000Z
reference_title: "GALC / Krabbe disease (Definitive)"
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: "GALC | HGNC:4115 | Krabbe disease | MONDO:0009499 | AR | Definitive"
explanation: ClinGen classifies the GALC-Krabbe disease gene-disease relationship as definitive with autosomal recessive inheritance.
diagnosis:
- name: Newborn Screening
description: >
Two-tiered newborn screening strategy using GALC enzyme activity as
first-tier test on dried blood spots, followed by psychosine measurement
as second-tier determinant. Krabbe disease is part of newborn screening
in 11 US states.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:38390974
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Krabbe disease (KD) is part of newborn screening (NBS) in 11 states with
at least one additional state preparing to screen
explanation: >
Documents the current status of newborn screening programs for Krabbe
disease across US states, with psychosine as a key second-tier biomarker.
- reference: PMID:38390974
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
when modeling the data based on the recommended screening strategy for
KD, and applying different cutoffs for PSY, each state could virtually
eliminate false positive results without major impact on sensitivity
explanation: >
Demonstrates that psychosine-based second-tier screening can virtually
eliminate false positives while maintaining sensitivity for infantile
Krabbe disease detection.
- name: GALC Enzyme Activity Assay
description: >
Measurement of galactosylceramidase activity in leukocytes or fibroblasts.
Deficient activity confirms the diagnosis, though pseudodeficiency alleles
can complicate interpretation.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:36113749
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
homozygous null mutations in GALC lead to deficiency in total GALC
protein and activity
explanation: >
Demonstrates that GALC protein and enzyme activity measurement can
distinguish infantile Krabbe disease cases with null mutations.
treatments:
- name: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
description: >
HSCT is the only treatment shown to alter disease course when performed
presymptomatically in infantile Krabbe disease or early in later-onset
forms. It provides donor-derived enzyme to the CNS via engrafted
microglia. For infantile KD, transplantation must occur within the
first 30-45 days of life to be effective.
treatment_term:
preferred_term: hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
term:
id: MAXO:0000747
label: hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
target_mechanisms:
- target: GALC Deficiency
treatment_effect: RESTORES
description: >
Donor-derived hematopoietic cells restore galactocerebrosidase activity
in blood after successful engraftment.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:15901860
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Surviving patients showed durable engraftment of donor-derived
hematopoietic cells with restoration of normal blood
galactocerebrosidase levels.
explanation: >
The cord-blood transplantation study directly supports restoration
of the deficient enzyme activity after donor-cell engraftment.
- target: Demyelination
treatment_effect: MODULATES
description: >
Presymptomatic transplantation can permit progressive central
myelination and alter the infantile disease trajectory.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:15901860
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Infants who underwent transplantation before the development of
symptoms showed progressive central myelination and continued gains
in developmental skills
explanation: >
Presymptomatic cord-blood transplantation is associated with
continued myelination, supporting a disease-modifying effect on
the demyelination pathway.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:15901860
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Infants who underwent transplantation before the development of symptoms
showed progressive central myelination and continued gains in
developmental skills, and most had age-appropriate cognitive function and
receptive language skills
explanation: >
Landmark NEJM study demonstrating that presymptomatic cord blood
transplantation favorably alters disease course in infantile Krabbe
disease with continued myelination and developmental gains.
- reference: PMID:15901860
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >
Children who underwent transplantation after the onset of symptoms had
minimal neurologic improvement.
explanation: >
Demonstrates that HSCT after symptom onset has minimal benefit,
underscoring the critical importance of early/presymptomatic treatment.
- name: Gene Therapy (Investigational)
description: >
AAV-mediated gene therapy to restore GALC expression is under active
investigation. Preclinical studies in mouse and canine models show
that CNS-directed AAV-GALC can normalize psychosine and extend
survival. Combination of systemic AAV gene therapy with HSCT has
shown the most promising results in canine models, with clinical
trials underway (NCT04693598, NCT05739643).
treatment_term:
preferred_term: gene therapy
term:
id: MAXO:0001001
label: gene therapy
target_mechanisms:
- target: GALC Deficiency
treatment_effect: RESTORES
description: >
AAV-GALC therapy is designed to restore GALC expression in the CNS.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37628569
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >
To rescue GALC gene function in the CNS of the twitcher mouse model
of KD, an adeno-associated virus serotype 1 vector expressing
murine GALC under control of a chicken β-actin promoter (AAV1-GALC)
was administered to newborn mice
explanation: >
The preclinical study explicitly frames AAV1-GALC as restoring GALC
gene function in the CNS.
- target: Psychosine Accumulation
treatment_effect: INHIBITS
description: >
CNS-directed AAV-GALC lowers or normalizes psychosine accumulation in
treated twitcher mice.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37628569
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >
Functionally, elevated levels of psychosine were completely
normalized in the forebrain region of the treated mice.
explanation: >
Treated twitcher mice show normalization of elevated psychosine in
forebrain, supporting psychosine lowering as a target effect.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37628569
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >
elevated levels of psychosine were completely normalized in the forebrain
region of the treated mice
explanation: >
AAV1-GALC gene therapy delivered via intracerebroventricular injection
normalized psychosine in the forebrain and extended median lifespan
from 43 to 78 days in the twitcher mouse model.
- reference: PMID:37628569
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >
The median lifespan was extended from 43 days to 78 days (range: 74-88
days) in the AAV1-GALC-treated group
explanation: >
Demonstrates significant survival extension with CNS-directed
AAV1-GALC gene therapy in the twitcher mouse model.
- name: Supportive Care
description: >
Symptomatic management including physical therapy, antispasmodics,
nutritional support, and seizure management.
treatment_term:
preferred_term: supportive care
term:
id: MAXO:0000950
label: supportive care
target_phenotypes:
- preferred_term: Spasticity
term:
id: HP:0001257
label: Spasticity
- preferred_term: Feeding difficulties
term:
id: HP:0011968
label: Feeding difficulties
- preferred_term: Seizure
term:
id: HP:0001250
label: Seizure
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301416
reference_title: Krabbe Disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >
Treatment of a child who is symptomatic before age six months is
supportive and focused on increasing the quality of life and avoiding
complications.
explanation: >
GeneReviews supports supportive care for symptomatic early infantile
Krabbe disease, which is represented as addressing the major
symptomatic neurologic complications.
- name: Avoidance of disease-accelerating agents
description: >
GeneReviews lists atypical antipsychotics, multi-drug seizure regimens
that cause over-sedation, and routine childhood vaccinations as
agents/circumstances to avoid because they can affect cognition,
respiratory drive, neurologic decline, or disease progression.
treatment_term:
preferred_term: supportive care
term:
id: MAXO:0000950
label: supportive care
target_phenotypes:
- preferred_term: Seizure
term:
id: HP:0001250
label: Seizure
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301416
reference_title: Krabbe Disease.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >
Agents/circumstances to avoid: Atypical antipsychotics and multiple
medications for seizures can cause over-sedation (affecting cognition,
respiratory drive, and rate of neurologic decline). Routine childhood
vaccinations can accelerate disease progression.
explanation: >
GeneReviews explicitly identifies medication over-sedation risks and
routine childhood vaccinations as agents or circumstances to avoid in
Krabbe disease management.
datasets: []
This report is retrieval-only and is generated directly from Asta results.
search_papers_by_relevance with snippet_search.