title: The relationship of the metachromatic leukodystrophies to neuropsychiatric disorders.
abstract: The possible relationship between the metachromatic leukodystrophies and neuropsychiatric disorders is reviewed. Four kinds of evidence are considered: psychiatric symptoms as preemergent markers of the neurodegenerative process; increased behavioral problems in leukodystrophy families; screening for low enzyme levels among psychiatric populations; and studies in model systems. Whereas the basic postulate of an increased risk for psychiatric problems among individuals with lower levels of the enzymes deficient in the leukodystrophies remains attractive, there is no strong evidence in its support. Low enzyme levels can be found in psychiatric populations, but they may not be any more frequent than in the general population.
authors.affiliation: University of California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Fluharty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D002553:Cerebroside-Sulfatase / Q000172:deficiency*; D002554:Cerebrosides / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D005698:Galactosylceramidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007966:Leukodystrophy, Metachromatic / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D012306:Risk; D013429:Sulfatases / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D002554:Cerebrosides; D013429:Sulfatases; D002553:Cerebroside-Sulfatase; D005698:Galactosylceramidase