Adult-onset neuronopathic form of Gaucher's disease: a case report

We report a patient with Gaucher's disease (GD) developing prominent neurological abnormalities in adult life confirming the existence of an adult neuronopathic form of GD. In this adult-onset form, an akinetic-rigid syndrome poorly responsive to dopatherapy, supranuclear gaze palsy, myoclonic jerks, seizures, cerebellar ataxia, cognitive and psychotic disturbances are frequent manifestations. The widely used clinical classification seems inadequate since it does not consider this rare form of GD. Until further understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease is achieved it is not possible to predict accurately which patients will or will not have late-onset nervous system involvement. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.