title: Inborn errors of carnosine and homocarnosine metabolism.
abstract: Serum carnosinase deficiency with carnosinuria has been reported in 23 children with neurological signs and/or mental retardation. In adults four cases in one family had serum carnosinase deficiency, carnosinuria, and in addition elevated homocarnosine in CSF and in the brain. The mother was one of these cases but had no clinical symptoms; however her three children have spastic paraparesis, retinitis pigmentosa and mental retardation. Serum carnosinase deficiency alone is not the cause of the neurological symptoms. When two of the affected children consumed carnosine, anserine or homocarnosine, they metabolized these compounds much less rapidly than did two normal control individuals.
authors.affiliation: Neurochemical Research Laboratory, Institute of Neuropsychiatry, Dikemark Hospital, Asker, Solberg, Norway.
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Gjessing
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Lunde
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mørkrid
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lenney
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sjaastad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002336:Carnosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism*; D004151:Dipeptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008661:Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004151:Dipeptides; C005038:homocarnosine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D002336:Carnosine