Adult metachromatic leukodystrophy. III. Clinical course, final stages and first biochemical results.

Continuing the previously published clinical development of a case of adult metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), we now describe the terminal phase and death (at 46 years of age) of our patient. The final phase was characterized clinically by progression of generalized peripheral neuropathy, advanced extrapyramidal and pyramidal tract symptomatology, dementia and brainstem dysfunction. First biochemical results show a moderate relative increase (3- to 5-fold) of sulfatides in the frontal lobe white matter but not in the cortex. The analysis of fatty acids in total lipid extract shows a decrease of long-chained fatty acids in favor of short-chained fatty acids, this change is more pronounced in white matter in the cortex. The clinical course and biochemical results are discussed in relation to previous cases analyzed by us. Epidemiological aspects especially emphasize routine serach for MLD amongst patients with neuropsychiatric symptomatology showing unusual psychoses, presenile dementias or unspecific disturbance of motor coordination possibly with electroneurographic evidence of peripheral neuropathy.