Author(s): Masayuki Shimono and Ayako Senju
The classification of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) had been clinically divided according to the age at the onset of symptoms: infantile, late infantile, juvenile and adult NCLs. However, this classification cannot always predict the causative gene; i.e., CLN1, for example, causes not only infantile NCL but also late onset infantile and adult NCLs. In 2012, a new classification for the NCLs that takes into account recent genetic and biochemical advances. This short review commentary focuses on the NCLs which might cause symptoms in children from neonate to preschooler age: CLN10 (neonatal), CLN1 (6-48 months), CLN14 (8-24 months), CLN2 (1-6 years), CLN3 (4-7 years), CLN5 (4-6 years), CLN6 (18 months-8 years), CLN7 (2-7 years) and CLN8 (5-10 years). There is no fundamental therapy, but there is the trial of some cures.
