U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

GM1 gangliosidosis type 3(GM1G3)

MedGen UID:
78655
Concept ID:
C0268273
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: Adult GM1 gangliosidosis; Beta-galactosidase deficiency; GANGLIOSIDOSIS, GENERALIZED GM1, ADULT TYPE; GANGLIOSIDOSIS, GENERALIZED GM1, CHRONIC TYPE; Gangliosidosis, Generalized GM1, Type 3; GANGLIOSIDOSIS, GENERALIZED GM1, TYPE III; GM1-GANGLIOSIDOSIS, TYPE III; Type 3 (adult) GM1 gangliosidosis
SNOMED CT: Adult GM1 gangliosidosis (238027003); GM1 Gangliosidosis type III (238027003)
Modes of inheritance:
Autosomal recessive inheritance
MedGen UID:
141025
Concept ID:
C0441748
Intellectual Product
Source: Orphanet
A mode of inheritance that is observed for traits related to a gene encoded on one of the autosomes (i.e., the human chromosomes 1-22) in which a trait manifests in individuals with two pathogenic alleles, either homozygotes (two copies of the same mutant allele) or compound heterozygotes (whereby each copy of a gene has a distinct mutant allele).
 
Gene (location): GLB1 (3p22.3)
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0009262
OMIM®: 230650
Orphanet: ORPHA79257

Disease characteristics

Excerpted from the GeneReview: GLB1-Related Disorders
GLB1-related disorders comprise two phenotypically distinct lysosomal storage disorders: GM1 gangliosidosis and mucopolysaccharidosis type IVB (MPS IVB). The phenotype of GM1 gangliosidosis constitutes a spectrum ranging from severe (infantile) to intermediate (late-infantile and juvenile) to mild (chronic/adult). Type I (infantile) GM1 gangliosidosis begins before age 12 months. Prenatal manifestations may include nonimmune hydrops fetalis, intrauterine growth restriction, and placental vacuolization; congenital dermal melanocytosis (Mongolian spots) may be observed. Macular cherry-red spot is detected on eye exam. Progressive central nervous system dysfunction leads to spasticity and rapid regression; blindness, deafness, decerebrate rigidity, seizures, feeding difficulties, and oral secretions are observed. Life expectancy is two to three years. Type II can be subdivided into the late-infantile (onset age 1-3 years) and juvenile (onset age 3-10 years) phenotypes. Central nervous system dysfunction manifests as progressive cognitive, motor, and speech decline as measured by psychometric testing. There may be mild corneal clouding, hepatosplenomegaly, and/or cardiomyopathy; the typical course is characterized by progressive neurologic decline, progressive skeletal disease in some individuals (including kyphosis and avascular necrosis of the femoral heads), and progressive feeding difficulties leading to aspiration risk. Type III begins in late childhood to the third decade with generalized dystonia leading to unsteady gait and speech disturbance followed by extrapyramidal signs including akinetic-rigid parkinsonism. Cardiomyopathy develops in some and skeletal involvement occurs in most. Intellectual impairment is common late in the disease with prognosis directly related to the degree of neurologic impairment. MPS IVB is characterized by skeletal dysplasia with specific findings of axial and appendicular dysostosis multiplex, short stature (below 15th centile in adults), kyphoscoliosis, coxa/genu valga, joint laxity, platyspondyly, and odontoid hypoplasia. First signs and symptoms may be apparent at birth. Bony involvement is progressive, with more than 84% of adults requiring ambulation aids; life span does not appear to be limited. Corneal clouding is detected in some individuals and cardiac valvular disease may develop. [from GeneReviews]
Authors:
Debra S Regier  |  Cynthia J Tifft  |  Caroline E Rothermel   view full author information

Additional descriptions

From OMIM
GM1-gangliosidosis type III (GM1G3) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder characterized by neurodegeneration and mild skeletal changes. Age at onset ranges from 3 to 30 years. The disorder is less severe than GM1-gangliosidosis types I and II (230600). Type III shows extreme clinical variability, with some patients having only focal neurologic signs, such as dystonia, and others having more severe involvement with extrapyramidal signs and mental retardation. GLB1 enzymatic activity usually ranges from approximately 4 to 10% of control values (Suzuki et al., 2001).  http://www.omim.org/entry/230650
From MedlinePlus Genetics
GM1 gangliosidosis type III is the adult or chronic form of the condition, and this is the mildest form. The age at which symptoms first appear varies in people with GM1 gangliosidosis type III, although most affected individuals develop signs and symptoms in their teens. The characteristic features of this type include involuntary tensing of various muscles (dystonia) and abnormalities of the spinal bones (vertebrae). Life expectancy varies among people with GM1 gangliosidosis type III.

GM1 gangliosidosis type II occurs in one of two forms: the late infantile or the juvenile forms. Children with type II develop normally early in life, but they begin to show signs and symptoms of the condition around the age of 18 months (late infantile form) or 5 years (juvenile form). Individuals with GM1 gangliosidosis type II experience developmental regression but usually do not have cherry-red spots, coarse facial features, or enlarged organs. Type II usually progresses more slowly than type I, but it still  shortens life expectancy. People with the late infantile form typically survive into mid-childhood, while those with the juvenile form may live into early adulthood.

People with GM1 gangliosidosis type I can lose their vision due to clouding of the clear outer covering of the eye (the cornea) and the breakdown of the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye (the retina). Affected individuals also develop a red area in the eye known as a cherry-red spot. In some cases, affected individuals have distinctive facial features that are described as "coarse," enlarged gums (gingival hypertrophy), and an enlarged and weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy). Individuals with type I usually do not survive past early childhood.

The signs and symptoms of the most severe form of GM1 gangliosidosis, called type I or the infantile form, usually develop by the age of 6 months. Infants with this form of the disorder typically appear normal until their development slows and the muscles used for movement weaken. Affected infants eventually lose the skills they had previously acquired (developmentally regress) and may develop an exaggerated startle reaction to loud noises. Over time, children with GM1 gangliosidosis type I develop an enlarged liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly) and skeletal abnormalities. Affected children often  have seizures and profound intellectual disability. 

GM1 gangliosidosis is an inherited disorder that destroys nerve cells (neurons) in the brain and spinal cord. This condition can be classified as one of three major types based on the age at which signs and symptoms first appear. However, the signs and symptoms of these three types can overlap, leading some researchers to believe that GM1 gangliosidosis occurs on a spectrum instead of as three distinct types.  https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/gm1-gangliosidosis

Clinical features

From HPO
Pes cavus
MedGen UID:
675590
Concept ID:
C0728829
Congenital Abnormality
An increase in height of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot that does not flatten on weight bearing (i.e., a distinctly hollow form of the sole of the foot when it is bearing weight).
Hypoplastic acetabulae
MedGen UID:
375890
Concept ID:
C1846442
Finding
Underdeveloped acetabulae.
Cherry red spot of the macula
MedGen UID:
786046
Concept ID:
C2216370
Finding
Pallor of the perifoveal macula of the retina with appearance of a small circular reddish choroid shape as seen through the fovea centralis due to relative transparency of the macula.
Foam cells
MedGen UID:
924121
Concept ID:
C4281786
Finding
The presence of foam cells, a type of macrophage that localizes to fatty deposits on blood vessel walls, where they ingest low-density lipoproteins and become laden with lipids, giving them a foamy appearance.
Short stature
MedGen UID:
87607
Concept ID:
C0349588
Finding
A height below that which is expected according to age and gender norms. Although there is no universally accepted definition of short stature, many refer to "short stature" as height more than 2 standard deviations below the mean for age and gender (or below the 3rd percentile for age and gender dependent norms).
Hepatomegaly
MedGen UID:
42428
Concept ID:
C0019209
Finding
Abnormally increased size of the liver.
Cerebellar ataxia
MedGen UID:
849
Concept ID:
C0007758
Disease or Syndrome
Cerebellar ataxia refers to ataxia due to dysfunction of the cerebellum. This causes a variety of elementary neurological deficits including asynergy (lack of coordination between muscles, limbs and joints), dysmetria (lack of ability to judge distances that can lead to under- or overshoot in grasping movements), and dysdiadochokinesia (inability to perform rapid movements requiring antagonizing muscle groups to be switched on and off repeatedly).
Dysarthria
MedGen UID:
8510
Concept ID:
C0013362
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Dysarthric speech is a general description referring to a neurological speech disorder characterized by poor articulation. Depending on the involved neurological structures, dysarthria may be further classified as spastic, flaccid, ataxic, hyperkinetic and hypokinetic, or mixed.
Dystonic disorder
MedGen UID:
3940
Concept ID:
C0013421
Sign or Symptom
An abnormally increased muscular tone that causes fixed abnormal postures. There is a slow, intermittent twisting motion that leads to exaggerated turning and posture of the extremities and trunk.
Intellectual disability, mild
MedGen UID:
10044
Concept ID:
C0026106
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Mild intellectual disability is defined as an intelligence quotient (IQ) in the range of 50-69.
Myoclonus
MedGen UID:
10234
Concept ID:
C0027066
Finding
Very brief, involuntary random muscular contractions occurring at rest, in response to sensory stimuli, or accompanying voluntary movements.
Seizure
MedGen UID:
20693
Concept ID:
C0036572
Sign or Symptom
A seizure is an intermittent abnormality of nervous system physiology characterized by a transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain.
Hyperreflexia
MedGen UID:
57738
Concept ID:
C0151889
Finding
Hyperreflexia is the presence of hyperactive stretch reflexes of the muscles.
Slurred speech
MedGen UID:
65885
Concept ID:
C0234518
Finding
Abnormal coordination of muscles involved in speech.
Delayed speech and language development
MedGen UID:
105318
Concept ID:
C0454644
Finding
A degree of language development that is significantly below the norm for a child of a specified age.
Diffuse cerebral atrophy
MedGen UID:
108958
Concept ID:
C0598275
Finding
Diffuse unlocalised atrophy affecting the cerebrum.
Ventriculomegaly
MedGen UID:
480553
Concept ID:
C3278923
Finding
An increase in size of the ventricular system of the brain.
Kyphosis
MedGen UID:
44042
Concept ID:
C0022821
Anatomical Abnormality
Exaggerated anterior convexity of the thoracic vertebral column.
Scoliosis
MedGen UID:
11348
Concept ID:
C0036439
Disease or Syndrome
The presence of an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.
Muscular atrophy
MedGen UID:
892680
Concept ID:
C0541794
Pathologic Function
The presence of skeletal muscular atrophy (which is also known as amyotrophy).
Platyspondyly
MedGen UID:
335010
Concept ID:
C1844704
Finding
A flattened vertebral body shape with reduced distance between the vertebral endplates.
Flared iliac wing
MedGen UID:
356097
Concept ID:
C1865841
Finding
Widening of the ilium ala, that is of the wing of the ilium, combined with external rotation, leading to a flared appearance of the iliac wing.
Anterior beaking of lumbar vertebrae
MedGen UID:
867183
Concept ID:
C4021541
Anatomical Abnormality
Anterior tongue-like protrusions of the vertebral bodies of the lumbar spine.
Splenomegaly
MedGen UID:
52469
Concept ID:
C0038002
Finding
Abnormal increased size of the spleen.
Decreased beta-galactosidase activity
MedGen UID:
383939
Concept ID:
C1856559
Finding
Abnormally decreased rate of beta-galactosidase activity. Beta-galactosidase activity can be measured in leukocyte, fibroblast, or plasma.
Coarse facial features
MedGen UID:
335284
Concept ID:
C1845847
Finding
Absence of fine and sharp appearance of brows, nose, lips, mouth, and chin, usually because of rounded and heavy features or thickened skin with or without thickening of subcutaneous and bony tissues.
Opacification of the corneal stroma
MedGen UID:
602191
Concept ID:
C0423250
Finding
Reduced transparency of the stroma of cornea.

Term Hierarchy

CClinical test,  RResearch test,  OOMIM,  GGeneReviews,  VClinVar  
Follow this link to review classifications for GM1 gangliosidosis type 3 in Orphanet.

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Herbst ZM, Hong X, Urdaneta L, Klein T, Waggoner C, Liao HC, Kubaski F, Giugliani R, Fuller M, Gelb MH
Mol Genet Metab 2023 Sep-Oct;140(1-2):107632. Epub 2023 Jun 24 doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2023.107632. PMID: 37407323Free PMC Article
Yuskiv N, Higaki K, Stockler-Ipsiroglu S
Int J Mol Sci 2020 Nov 30;21(23) doi: 10.3390/ijms21239121. PMID: 33266180Free PMC Article
Deodato F, Procopio E, Rampazzo A, Taurisano R, Donati MA, Dionisi-Vici C, Caciotti A, Morrone A, Scarpa M
Metab Brain Dis 2017 Oct;32(5):1529-1536. Epub 2017 Jun 3 doi: 10.1007/s11011-017-0044-y. PMID: 28577204

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Van Buggenhout GJ, Trijbels JM, Wevers R, Trommelen JC, Hamel BC, Brunner HG, Fryns JP
Genet Couns 2001;12(1):1-21. PMID: 11332972

Diagnosis

Van Buggenhout GJ, Trijbels JM, Wevers R, Trommelen JC, Hamel BC, Brunner HG, Fryns JP
Genet Couns 2001;12(1):1-21. PMID: 11332972

Supplemental Content

Table of contents

    Clinical resources

    Practice guidelines

    • PubMed
      See practice and clinical guidelines in PubMed. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.

    Recent activity

    Your browsing activity is empty.

    Activity recording is turned off.

    Turn recording back on

    See more...