Metachromatic Leukodystrophy
Alternate Names : Arylsulfatase A Deficiency, MLD
Definition
Metachromatic leukodystrophy is an inherited disease characterized by the absence of the enzyme arylsulfatase A, which causes a material called cerebroside sulfate to accumulate in cells. This is toxic to the cell, especially neurons (the cells of the nervous system) and causes the problems of the disease.
MLD is a member of a class of diseases called lysosomal storage disorders. In these diseases, patients lack a protein needed to metabolize the food we eat.
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