In Niemann-Pick disease type C, a defect in the NPC1 gene (approximately 95% of cases) or in the NPC2 gene (approx. 5% of cases) leads to impaired intracellular cholesterol trafficking and consecutive to accumulation of unesterified cholesterol in the cells of various organs. The age of manifestation extends from the perinatal period to late adulthood. Clinical symptoms are very heterogeneous. In addition to visceral signs – consisting of a splenomegaly or hepatosplenomegaly – neurological symptoms, such as progressive cerebellar ataxia, dysarthria, vertical supranuclear gaze palsy, epilepsy, cataplexy and progressive dementia are characteristic. For the treatment of progressive neurological symptoms, substrate reduction therapy with miglustat is currently available.
Synonym: Disordered intracellular lipid transport
Gene: NPC1 Gene; NPC2 Gene
Mode of inheritance: Autosomal recessive
Phenotypes:
Leading symptoms:
Pre-/perinatal
(Age of onset: < 2 months)
Early-infantile
(Age of onset: 2 months to 1 year)
Late-infantile
(Age of onset: 2-5 years)
Juvenil
(Age of onset: 6-15 years)
Adult
(Age of onset: > 15 years)
Diagnostics:
Therapy:
Miglustat (Substrate reduction therapy)