Canavan disease: Diagnosis and molecular analysis

Reuben Matalon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Canavan disease, spongy degeneration of the brain, is an autosomal recessive disorder with increased prevalence among Ashkenazi Jews. The biochemical marker for this disease is increased levels of N-acetylaspartic acid, due to the defective enzyme, aspartoacylase. This discovery allowed for accurate diagnosis of the disease. The gene for aspartoacylase has been cloned and two mutations have been found to be responsible for Canavan disease among Ashkenazi Jewish patients in 98% of the cases. Molecular analysis of healthy Jewish individuals for these mutations has resulted in an unexpectedly high carrier frequency for Canavan disease among Jews. Therefore, carrier testing of the Jewish population is possible and indicated.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)21-25
Number of pages5
JournalGenetic Testing
Volume1
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1997

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics(clinical)

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