Significance of Plasma Glycolipid Levels in Normals and in 3 Disorders of Brain Glycolipids. ∗

Abstract

Summary

1. Plasma glycolipids and other plasma lipids were studied in 2 diseases affecting the myelin glycolipids, in gargoylism, and in controls of appropriate age. 2. Plasma glycolipid levels in this series of normal children ranged from 4.9-6.5 mg%. Those in 2 metachromatic children ranged from 6.0-6.3 mg%. In the globoid child. plasma glycolipids ranged from 4.3-5.1 mg%. 3. Data obtained with these methods would not appear to establish a disorder of total plasma glycolipids per se as the primary source for systemic deposits in the patients studied. 4) The significance of the plasma glycolipid level is considered, and the need for individualization in further studies is stressed.

It is a pleasure to acknowledge the assistance of the Dept. of Pediatrics and of Mrs. Margaret Bischel in obtaining plasma samples, and that of Mrs. Jean Scott and Mr. David Gaudin in cholesterol and phosphorous determinations.